After an oil change in cold California weather (45F) it is a real chore to get my oil temp to 180F to purge air out of the oil system past the thermostat. Waiting to hit 180 every time I drove would be ridiculous. I putter through the neighborhood and than hit the curves going down the hill with gusto, because I have to warm it up for when I tax the engine going UP the next hill........
I find the only way I can create heat is to push the engine.

I get to 180 degrees about 12min into my drive. Fortunately that's right when I can "open up" a little and go 80-90 or so. I'm aching for a road trip.

Re. "play" for a given part, all points get more distant from each other with higher temperatures. Play could be reduced if e.g. an AL part was constrained by a steel part.