Some people are comfortable running penzoil for 4500 miles, and some people turn the key and drive off, 65 degrees or 6.

I have always changed my oil at 3500 when not synthetic and always warmed my car up for 5-10 minutes, so that if called upon, I can haul some butt up the freeway on ramp nearby without beating on a cold motor.

I'm sure the newer the car the more apt it is to adjust for cold start and quick drives, but I feel more comfortable not asking it do so.

 

I am surprised no one talked about block heaters....

 

that is a good point, it does make really cold starts a bit better, and help warm up faster. Yep if you live in really cold area pop out a frost plug and drop one in.

Things I have used when didn't have a block heater: hair drier, mainly to warm battery up, but if you set it so it is blowing toward battery with a blanket used to cover engine with the hood SET down does a decent job of warming engine compartment up, works well in a pinch if your car wont start, will only set you back about a hour or so, or if you know its going to be really cold, set up the night be for and start when you get up. 200W light bulb: -40F and you don't have a block heater, set under hood (where it's not going to be laying on anything) cover engine with blanket SET hood down. Heat pad: works good to wrap around battery.

Old old school: if you have a wood stove use cookie sheet or other low sitting pan fill with hot coals from wood stove, set under oil pan (hope you don't have a oil leak).