do you have to warm up a car in cold weather?

Answer 1

Only if it has something wrong with it. Just don't drive hard till it's warmed up to normal temp.

Answer 2

the major 2 reasons are this. 1st of all. the oil is down in the drain pan, not up into the mnoving parts like it is when it's running. 2nd. all those parts being put into motion are whatever temperature is outside. Metal contracts with temperature. the parts are much tighter and subject to faster wear. if you race or rev up a cold engine in real cold weather, you could end up with a piston or rod right out through the side of the block! Now your engine is a total loss, except for a few salvagable parts to build up another. When it's down near zero or less, give it at least a 5 minute warm up so everything moving freely before putting any speed or load against it.

Answer 3

I just asked this question and a mechanic told me if its a newer car you do not need to warm it up.
see below
It is actually better NOT to warm your car up before you go. Most 90 and newer cars are made with much lower oil pressure than older vehicles and because of that when you start a vehicle and let it sit at an idle in park the oil pressure never builds high enough to send oil into the top end of the vehicle so it actually causes more wear on the engine and causes taps and knocks from lifters early on in the engines life. So jump on in and run. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Not only do you not have to, it's recommended by most manufacturers that you don't. Just avoid heavy acceleration until it reaches operating temperature.

Idling your car in the winter isn't just bad for the environment; it can be hard on your car's engine. Incomplete combustion means that fuel residues can condense on cylinder walls, contaminate engine oil and clog spark plugs.

The best way to warm your car up is to drive it. With computer controlled, fuel-injected engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling before driving away. Things like wheel bearings, steering, suspension, transmission and tires only warm up when your car is moving.

Answer 5

In warmer weather you really only need to let the car warm up for about 15 seconds. Even in the bitter cold winter most cars only need about 30 seconds, or until the rpm drops down to normal, just enough time to let the oils get flowing through the engine. I only let it run to warm up in the winter for my benefit not the cars so im not freezing my butt off while im driving.

Answer 6

You are going to get answers across the board on this, but the fact of the matter is, as far as the engine is concerned, you only need to allow your engine to run for 30 seconds to allow the oil to circulate, and you're good to go. this is all assuming your car is in good running condition.

Now do you need to warm it up for creature comfort, yes. How long depends on your climate and how long it woudl take you to feel warm.

Most of the time you are wearing a coat and hat and gloves, so I still say, start your car, listen to some music and then go. the comfort heat will come on eventually, and you'l save alot more gas that way.

Answer 7

Yes. I usually start the engine and after that I defrost the windows with the ice scrapper. By the time I finish the engine is warm enough. In very cold weather it is recommended to start the engine and wait for it to warm up, this way you will also have heat inside when you start driving.

Answer 8

It is a misnomer that you have to warm up a car to drive it in cold weather. Most fuel injected cars are ready to move forward within 30 seconds of ignition in temperatures over 0 degree faranheit. The most important matter is that you have the proper viscosity oil in your car. Check you owners manual for this information.

If you let the car idle for more than one minuite the only thing you are succeeding at is wasting gas.

Answer 9

If you want to save your engine and transmission, you better warm your car. A cold engine that is overworked can cause damages internally. Let the engine warm for at least a couple minutes.

Answer 10

Yeah. But not for long times like listed above. Usually it only takes about 1-2 minutes for the thing to warm up enough to run properly

Answer 11

they used to think that you must wait for the engine to reach it normal operating tempurature before drivign it in the cold, but now they recommend starting and giving the engine a moment get the oil flowing. then you can take off. It is actually gonna do more bad than good if you regularly give your car alot of time to warm up in cold weather