I have a 2007 Chevy Cobalt and I was told it is hard to let it warm up in the morning before I drive it. I don't believe them, but of course curiosity killed the cat. Is it really hard on my car to let it warm up?
My friend said to just start it up and drive it (with care) until it warms up. Is this true?
2007-01-12 02:36:03 · 14 answers · asked by Scott B 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have a 2007 Chevy Cobalt and I was told it is hard to let it warm up in the morning before I drive it. I don't believe them, but of course curiosity killed the cat. Is it really hard on my car to let it warm up?
My friend said to just start it up and drive it (with care) until it warms up. Is this true?
Any sources would be greatly appreciated! :)
2007-01-12 02:44:21 · update #1
This is in Minnesota.. So the temperatures do get rather cold in Minnesota.. Please keep this in mind..
2007-01-12 02:45:39 · update #2
If I was really concerned about the environment, I wouldn't have purchased a gas vehicle. I am mainly concerned with my car and having it last as long as possible..
2007-01-12 02:51:15 · update #3
letting it warm up is one of the best things you can do for your car.engine block,pistons, valves and cylinder heads are made from different types and differently hardened metals.its best to let engine reach normal operating temp before driving.most people do not do this though.ask your local ase certified tech,not a shade tree grease monkey.
2007-01-12 02:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by brian l 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The sooner you can start driving the car the better. Just drive gently until fully warmed up, i.e. avoid excessive revs.
The longer you let the car idle, before driving, the more the oil will become diluted by a gas mixture. All cars need a richer mixture to start (more gas and less air). The sooner you drive the car, the sooner the car will warm up and be running on a normal mixture.
Obviously in the winter you need to let the car warm up for a minute or two, but it's best to keep it to a minimum for the reasons stated above and the fact that a richer mixture is creating more air pollution.
2007-01-12 02:46:14 · answer #2 · answered by richard555 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start ups are the thing here. Since the oil is in the oil pan, there is no oil for lubrication for a brief period of time. Letting the car warm does not hurt anything and where you live, it will actually help. At very cold tempatures, oil is very thick and letting the engine run a bit will warm it up and thin out the oil.
2007-01-12 02:59:07 · answer #3 · answered by chefantwon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes your friend is correct. Most modern cars do not need to sit and run to get warmed up. It wouldn't hurt to warm it for a minute or so, but any longer than that and you are just wasting gas. The modern oils that have been developed really decrease the time it takes for the oil to get pumped all around the engine. Also, don't race your engine in the first few minutes it is being run.
2007-01-12 02:41:42 · answer #4 · answered by en tu cabeza 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're going to get lots of different answers on this. In very cold clilmates, people allow their cars to warm up before operating them. If its really cold, allowing the engine etc. to operate a few minutes will not harm you vehicle. Getting into a really cold car and operating it at highways speeds without a warm up is harmful. All the lubricants and fluids in the vehicle should have a little time to warm up. If warming up vehicles was harmful, there would be lots of junk cars in the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc.
The worst thing to do is drive a really cold car a short distance and stop. This doesn't allow the engine etc. to get up to normal temperatures and will cause significant moisture buildup in the engine and exhaust systems. Not good.
Good luck.
2007-01-12 02:44:39 · answer #5 · answered by jack w 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
By not letting in warm up prior to take off you are shortening the life of the engine considerably. Driving the engine cold puts stress on the components and, the primary reason to let it warm up, the oil is like jello until the engine is warm thus providing very little lubrication to the engine.
But by all means destroy the car, you will enjoy the repair bills.
2007-01-12 02:41:07 · answer #6 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ah the chevy midgets, cute cars really. . .no it's not hard on your car to just start it. you're just using up gas. kinda like sitting at a stop light or waiting in line at burger king. you don't really HAVE to wait for it to warm up though, just drive it - it's a car. . .unless somethings wrong with it you should be fine. and if it's slow to shift or is having trouble braking at times it could be the weather.
2007-01-12 02:40:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I drive a 44 jeep (the genuine one) and never warm it up except in a realy cold winter (0°F and below).
A normal car should not need warm up before driving. Driving defensively at start (and therafter most welcome) sounds like a good idea.
There is rumour (at least in europe) that letting the motor running for warming up purpose is not allowed. The environment and so.
2007-01-12 02:41:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A couple of minutes at idle is all you need to get the motor oil circulating through the engine. After that just drive away normally.
2007-01-12 02:39:13 · answer #9 · answered by jarhed 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say 1 to 2 min to let the oil circulate.
2007-01-12 02:39:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋