How long do I warm up my car during cold weather?

Question

I really wish I didn't have to wait several minutes to start driving after starting up my car in the winter. I freeze my booty because I have to wait for the heat to work. Is it true that if you don't wait, your engine will mess up or something? I have a 1996 Mercury Cougar (I'm hoping to upgrade soon). Newer cars don't require this tedious waiting, right? Can stepping lightly on the gas while the car is parked help? Why should we do this?

Answer 1

This waiting procedure is now old school. Your car should have 5w 30 oil in the crankcase. It's perfectly fine to start it fasten your seat belt and go. A few miles at reduced speed (30 - 40) miles per hour is prudent. As soon as your temperature gage needle moves off the bottom it's OK to shovel coal. While you stand still the engine warms slower and that alone causes condensation inside your engine and you invite cylinder wash down. This is caused by unburned fuel actually running past the piston rings into your crank ace. Motor oil's worst enemy. That's why 3,000 mile oil changes are necessary for short stop and go driving. If you drive 20 miles and stop your car you can safely stretch oil changes to 5,000 miles . All new cars suggest this practice.

Answer 2

I usually start the car and let it warm up while I go back inside and gather my purse and sweeter, the usual things you take with you when your going out (but that depends if you trust your neighborhood that well) But I warm mine up for about 10 minutes or until the temp. gauge is between the the cold and the medium line.

Or another way you can tell, (this is if your in a hurry) when the heater kicks on, but its good to give your car a little bit more time than that.

O and you have to do that with any car, it won't per say mess up the engine but it is very hard on the engine which after time could possibly do some damage, but think of it this way, when you wake up do you like to be rushed or do you like to "warm up" and take your time and adjust to the beginning of your day?

Answer 3

I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer and I usually let it run 15-20 minutes before I leave. I have a spare key and I live in a pretty safe neighborhood so I leave my truck running while I continue to get ready for work every morning, but I don't encourage that. Yes, it is true that you could mess your car up if you don't warm it up properly so please be careful. It doesn't matter how new the vehicle is, if it's severely cold it needs to be done unless of course there's a heated garage involved but any our case, just turn the heat all the way and let that baby run!

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Actually, prolonged warming up by idling is not necessary; in fact, it's better if you drive the car (avoid jack-rabbit starts and quick acceleration until the temperature gauge reaches normal operating temperatures). Just idling the car in the morning wastes gas (you're getting zero miles per gallon, remember) and doesn't really accomplish anything (other than increase pollution).

Answer 5

Letting your car sit in the driveway at idle for 15 minutes is OLD SCHOOL. This wastes gas. The preferred method is to start your car, let it idle for a minute or two, then you can start driving. I would go easy until at least you see the temperature gauge start to come off the "C".

Answer 6

im axious to see if it is bad on the engine cause I do a cold start. I cant leave my car running because so many cars in my city are stolen every winter. guys just drive around looking for cars that are being warmed up

Answer 7

I have a 2001 Chevy S10. I always warm up my truck for 10 to 15 minutes before driving in the cold weather.

Answer 8

I had an older car and needed to let it warm up, so I would not stall while driving. Most important is to let your vehicle warm up to a point where you can drive safely. You do not want to stall somewhere and get into an accident. As well, warming it up helps to allow you to see better through your windows, which also cuts the chances of a terrible accident!

Answer 9

The oil in the car usually gets cycled in the first few seconds. drive slow or at normal driving speeds till it is warm. don't stomp on the gas. letting the car just sit and warm is only for heating the interior and it is also a waste of gas.

Answer 10

That's a common misperception. You aren't going to ruin your engine if you don't wait a few minutes before taking off. Start it up and take off..just don't drive hard when the engine is cold.