Warming up the car??

Question

I bought a brand new car last year and the dealer told me that I did not have to let the car warm up anymore. However, I am having a hard time with this idea as I have always let my old car run for 10 -15 mins prior to driving it in the winter.

Are people still warming up the car before driving it? I notice that when I go home at the end of the day people just jump in and drive right away. I sit there giving my car five minutes before leaving (winter only).

Answer 1

In the winter, unless I'm in a rush, I always warm up my car for 10 -15 minutes. It can get real cold here, when cold oil gets thick, so it doesn't hurt it to warm it up and loosen up the oil, especially if you're going far.

Answer 2

As bushwhacked says the main reason for engine warm up is to get the oil circulating. Modern engines and oils have been developed to reduce the time it takes for this to happen. If you feel happier to give the engine a warm up period it won't harm it but you might consider reducing the time to a couple of minutes. I use an additive which coats the engine internals in PTFE this is supposed to allow even old engines to be driven straight away. I know it works as I drove about fifty miles with no oil and the car kept going. I was going to replace the engine as some seals had gone so I didn't care if the engine blew. It was still going six month down the line with oil and new seals. The product was called Slick 50

Answer 3

In winters if you see subzero temps or you live in a snowy environment, Id strongly suggest you start your car and leave it idling with the A/C off (is better) til the engine temp meter goes about 20% up. Then youre good to drive.

Also notice if your car is cold, your brakes may not function properly and you will definately not get the power you ask for if the engine is shivering.

Also note that if your car has been standing still for a while and its cold or raining out, make sure to check around all 4 tires before leaving because often cats come and make cozy there.

I hope this helped.

Answer 4

Well, you want to get the oil flowing through the engine good before putting it under load, otherwise you can ruin bearings. If the combustion chamber is too cold, you can get uneven burning and hotspots, as well, though that's not as much of an issue as oiling.

As far as getting warm, the engine will warm up faster being driven than jsut sitting there idling, in most cses, so letting it sit there and warm up for 4-5 minutes is a waste.

But in general, let it run for a couple moments before revving it in neutral, and at least a minute or two before puting it under load. This gives enough time for oil to pump through th eengine and get it lubed properly before putting stress on it.

Answer 5

The only reason in the past for warming the car was to give it time for the carburetor to adjust from high idle. With fuel injection, this is no longer needed. If you want to continue to warm the car so the heat works faster, this is not needed anymore either. The new cars heat the coolant much faster if you drive it. Otherwise, you are just cutting back on the fuel economy.

Answer 6

Modern machining is so accurate these days and metals so strong.Oil is much better than of old.Fuel injection eliminates the necessity to warm the engine up for carburation purposes so it is not necessary to warm the car up when stationery other than to allow a short while before you rev the engine for the oil to circulate around the bearings on an overhead cam engine and off you go.You can get home 5 mns earlier now

Answer 7

Cars have improved over the years. I will let mine idle for only a minute while I adjust the radio, put on the seat belt, check the mirrors. then I put it in gear and go. This gives the oil a chance to start circulating. I do try to limit rpm's while the engine is cold. But after about 2-3 miles, then I just drive normal.

good luck.

Answer 8

I always warm up the car......but I dont sit in it while i do so. I want the heat to be roaring when I get in it especially if I am toting kids with me. Of course this is only first thing in the morning. The rest of the day I just get in and go!

Answer 9

The car really doesn't need any warm up time unless you want it warmed up so you have heat, but it actually warms up quicker when you're driving.

Answer 10

i always warm my car up get all the fliuds up to temp, keeps the windows defrosted. nobody likes to ride in a cold car i dont. it only burns alittle gas