is a long time needed between igniting engine in car and starting to drive?

Question

When the car is for long period of time (14 hours) outside where the temperature is below 14 F. Should, (or do I have to) before I drive, to run engine for at least 10 min? If I run immidiately after getting into car and igniting engine, does it do damage to engine?

PS. I do not think so, but always my mother everyday yells at me in mornings that I will brake my car if I do not get up earlier and start engine to keep car itself warming for little period before I drive. She is not expert in car, but she concludes her theory based on observations that people from the neighborhood start warming car before they drive (they have outside, while I have car in garage- not warmed but safe from snow and ice).

Answer 1

Generally no.. not 10 whole minutes if you keep the thing garaged.

Is the garage temperature-controlled? I would suggest no more than 5 minutes. However, make your mom happy and just do it. It's the least you can do.

Answer 2

I would say depending on your car. I have a newer model car now, and although it does not get down to 14 degrees in FL, there can be a nip in the air with our 35-40 degree mornings, and I let it warm up until I can see the temp. guage creeping up. However, when I was driving my 91 Nissan 300ZX, if I did not let the car warm up all the way, it drove like crap for at least a half hour, running very erratically and slmost to the point where it would stall if stopped at a light. I would say listen to your mom.... the fluids and parts all need to be ready to work properly, and that takes time, I say 5-10 minutes is good.

Answer 3

at 14below yes 10 minutes at least at that temp,over time of hard starts it's not good for your car.The oil is considerably thick at that temp, leave a bottle out one night and see for yourself.I generally run it at least 5 min. from 0 to 10 below any colder 10 min.

Answer 4

your mother is right