Below Normal Operating Temp in Fall/Winter
 

With the outdoor temperatures dropping as winter arrives, my car often doesn't reach the 1st white mark of the oil temp gauge, even after driving for a while. Depending on driving conditions, it may reach full operating temperature - which I believe is the 1st white mark (90 deg. C) - but then drop back down.

The owner's manual says don't rev past 4,000 or so until the engine has reached normal operating temperature.

So does this basically mean you can't rev the engine past 4,000 in winter because the oil temp will usually be below 90? This seems silly.

I just don't go past 4K until I see the temp gauge start to move.

As soon as it comes up off the bottom, it's warm enough.