Do you have to warm your car up before you drive it in the cold weather? If so, how long should it warm up?

Answer 1

By the time you start the car and de-ice the windows, it's ready to go. There is no need to do it for any longer than a minute.

Answer 2

As one person mentioned, it takes appx. 30 seconds for the oil to circulate throughout your engine, but that’s just the start. All metal expands as it warms, and as an engine warms up, the metal expands to its normal operating tolerances (rings, bearing clearance, etc.) This takes about 3 to 5 minutes for this to occur. Putting a load on the engine (driving it) before this point can cause blow-by, and other more complex situations, which can damage an engine. Also, the warmer your engine, the better your fuel mileage, and the lower the amount of carbon deposits that will form. The difference between letting an engine idle for 3 to five minutes vs. 30 sec. can actually double your engines life. A word of caution though: Any longer than 5 min. can actually HARM the engine, as the RPMs at idle are not sufficient to maintain the oil pressure necessary to properly lubricate the bearings, and idling a warm engine creates a build up of internal pressure within the block that creates contaminants the PCV system cannot draw out effectively.

Answer 3

It is a good idea to warm the car up when it's cold out. Just like stretching more muscles before you run, the car needs a chance to heat up, get the cold oil moving through all the appropriate parts, etc. It doesn't have to be long...

...as someone else mentioned, I let mine warm up while I'm scraping frost off the windows...if your car is kept in a garage, then just warm it say 3 mins or so...about as long as the cycle of a traffic light should be fine...

Answer 4

I'm not sure if you must do it but, I do know that it is a real good idea. Even in warm weather. You should always give your car about 5 minutes to warm up in idle position if possible before driving off. Starting your car while the engine is cold and then taking off in it causes wear and tear. It would kind of be like waking up at 6 in the morning, jumping out of bead , running a few miles, doing chores, ect. No coffee to warm you up at all. Kind of stressful. Just remember, take care of your car and it will take care of you,. . . .sometimes. - TacMedicUS

Answer 5

I bought a Honda Civic about 7 years ago, and upon consulting the manual regarding this matter, it said that no longer than 2 minutes is necessary or helpful. I assume that as long as your car is newer, you can consult your manual. On newer cars, letting it idle a few minutes longer seems to do nothing to actually make the inside of the car warmer or clear the windows, so i personally live by this 2 minute rule, as i am very conscious of the gas that would be wasted and the pollution that unnecessary idling produces. (No heat seems to be produced until you actually drive the car)

Answer 6

You should warm it up definately. The engine will be running fast when you first start it (over 1200 rpm), and then when its good to go it will drop down to under 900rpm. You should be able to hear the difference, but 5 minutes would usually be enough time. Not warming it up will put a lot of strain on the engine and will break it down sooner.

Answer 7

I do warm up my car about 5 minutes prior to leaving in the winter. It helps melt any ice on the windows and warms up the inside as well.

Answer 8

All you actually need is 30 seconds for the oil to get to all your engine parts, but I let mine warm up longer to clear the windows for safety reasons. Getting a remote start is a good idea and don't forget to leave it on defrost and the fan on high when you get out.

Answer 9

If it's an older car 8 minutes, new car 2 minutes

Answer 10

it is better for you car if you let it warm up for at least 5 min. older cars a little longer