Do you warm up your car in the morning or just get init and drive?

Answer 1

I warm up my car in the morning. It drives nicer when I do. I let it "warm up" for about 15 to 20 minutes before I get in it to drive to work.

Answer 2

Yes, I do warm up my car. In whatever atmosphere you may be; either winter or summer, running car for few minutes first thing in a day before just driving it, provides smooth ride. And I use ignition only, no accelator paddle to start it.

Answer 3

I was reading in a Canadian Technician magazine, You are only susposed to let your car warm up until at normal idol. Then after it is at normal idol, you are susposed to drive the car softly until the car heats up. By warming up the engine/passenger compartment, you are neglecting the rest of the car. The entire car has to warm up as one, what about the tires, or the brakes, or the transmission, how are they going to warm up if the car has been "warming up" sitting still? I live in Calgary, and I will get into my truck and start it and if there is no snow or ice on it, I'll start driving it softly. (ie, keeping it in low revs, not starting/stopping quickly, letting the engine warm up before you put heat on, ect). Cars today are designed much better then cars of the past. They are designed to opperate in much harsher climates, but people still have the "old school" mentality that the longer the car is warming up, the better. Usually, my rule of thumb is if the car is pre 1985, or 10 years old with high milage or carburated, let it warm up before driving. If it it low milage (under 15 000km/year) then softly drive the car until warm.

Wow. Only one person got this too. I guess they live in a cold part of Canada too. Common Technicians, you should know this.

Answer 4

Just drive it. The majority of engine damage is done when you start it. People say you have to get the oil moving. Well, when you start it, the oil starts to move then, not 5 minutes later when it warms up. Just don't go real hard until it is warm, but don't waste the gas letting it set and run.

It's amazing the lack of knowledge on these sites. Like was said above, "I let it run cause I like getting into a toasty car"

Answer 5

I WOULD SAY THAT WARMING IT UP NEVER HURTS. PLUS ITS NICE TO GET INTO A WARM CAR ON THE COLD MORNINGS.

Answer 6

It depends on how cold it is outside....this morning it is about 7 degrees, so my car will get warmed up!

Answer 7

1st Responder above is absolutely correct about the length of time you should warm up your car according to the temperature outside. Your car engine will last longer. Warming up the engine allows the oil to circulate throughout the engine.

P.S. I drive a Mercedes and the OWNER'S MANUAL specifically says to warm up the engine before driving it.

Answer 8

i usually let it run for a short time while i put on my seat belt. it allows the carto warm up a bit etc

Answer 9

Please do not idle your car to warm it up, it is a waste of our precious oil which cannot be replaced or replenished, if you live in cold climates, i suggest you phurcase a block heater or a coolant heater which will keep your engine block warm, even better one with a built in thermostat so you're not warming up the whole neighborhood. Contary to popular belief warming up your car does not prevent damage. It is better to let the idle stabilize and drive the car gentely for the first 10 miles after that, the car will be sufficent enough to be driven hard.

Answer 10

Warm it up. The average temp in the morning in Colorado has been about 8 degrees. I like to get into a toasty vehicle.

Answer 11

You should run the engine for a minute to allow the oil to circulate before driving off but it warms up more quickly and efficiently by being driven, not just idling on the driveway.