Hi
In 28 degree weather last Febrary the HCH temp guage reached half (Normal) after 3 miles. Not sure if it is just me but I didn't notice any difference in the car at that time.
Thanks for the cold heater tip...
However at about 2 miles I did note a fairly sudden increase in efficiency: that is the car would roll on a flat surface and not loose any MPG at a given point on the FCD, where minutes ago it would have slowed down.
Noticed another gain in efficiency after 5 miles.
My only hypothesis is that it takes this time for the heat to "soak through", mabe bearings turn a little easier then, etc.
But also at that time my car only had perhaps 1K miles on it.
As an ex-Minnesotan,
Way down here in Hot Atlanta things just don't cool down quite so much!
Steve