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Originally Posted by epodell
has your ICE broken in? Does that really result in the converter warming up faster? Is it worthwhile to just sit and idle for a few minutes?
You wrote---
"The warming up process and breaking in has more to do with the ICE and fluids. Your MPG will improve as the ICE breaks in."
What fluids and what else can i do to speed the break in process?
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Let me separate the two and make it simple:
Breaking in: The engine wears with use. At some point, the friction is minimized and the engine runs at optimum. Just use the engine and allow it to break in normally. We're not race car mechanics, we'd have to waste alot of gas and oil to break in the engine sooner.
Fluids: The ICE is most efficient when at it's specified operating temp. The coolant and oil need to get to that temp.
The engine & transmission oil need to get to the moving parts to minimize friction. The engine oil is like flour impregnated butter, initially its thick and in one place, it warms up, gets all over and greases the works then the 'flour' thickens so as to not burn the butter. Forget about idling to warm up. Just accelerate with moderation until it warms up fully.
BTW the converter (catalytic) heats up in a matter of seconds. Its part of the exhaust and reduces harmful emissions.