What Does It Mean To Warm Your Car Up?
It is common advice in winter to warm your car up in winter before you start to drive. This means turning on your car and letting it idle for some time before you actually start, as you continue to clean it up, and even sit in the driver’s seat for a handful of minutes before you actually begin to drive.
Why Do People Warm Up Their Cars In Winter?
This is something that used to be needed. In the colder weather, the oil in your car’s engine can thicken, which makes it harder for said oil to lubricate the engine. Letting the car idle is a way to counteract this. A warmer engine is also more fuel efficient, and can help with things like defrosting your windows in cold temperatures, improving visibility. A warmer car is also more comfortable to be in during colder winter months.
What Are The Pros To Warming Your Car Up In Winter?
As mentioned above, warming the car up allows the windows to get unfogged, the inside of the car to get warmed up, and the oil to warm up and better lubricate the engine of the vehicle. This is especially true in older vehicles with carburettors, but it is still true, although to a much lesser extent, to modern vehicles.
What Are The Cons To Warming Your Car Up In Winter?
Letting the car sit for a longer period of time does have some cons as well, most of which are the same as just having it stopped for any amount of time for any other reason. Having the car simply idle for 5 extra minutes means you use more gas, and also increase wear and tear on the vehicle. While a few minutes every now and then might not seem like something that would do a catastrophic amount of damage to anything, all of these little bits do add up over time.
Do You Need To Warm Up Your Car In Winter?
This is something that will vary from vehicle to vehicle, as not all cars operate the exact same way. However, even though most newer vehicles are better than old ones, you still generally do need to let it sit for just a bit before stepping on the gas. However, I am not a mechanic, and it is best that you read your car’s manual for advice on your specific vehicle.
How Long Should You Let Your Car Idle For?
It used to be a general rule that you would need to let your car sit running for 10-15 minutes before stepping on the gas. However, that is no longer the case with newer vehicles. It is now usually sufficient to let the car warm up for a minute or two, instead of the fifteen or so minutes that used to be needed. This means that if you need to brush off your car, turning it on and allowing the car to warm up as you do so will likely be enough. However, I must stress that your car’s manual will likely give you a more precise answer, and should be listened to.
