Since we're starting to get into cold weather I'm wondering if it's a good idea to let my car's engine warm up before I start driving it. Or if it's ok to just drive it cold.
2007-10-15 04:56:10 · 16 answers · asked by Priscilla D 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
yes, oil tends to thicken when its cold, so by letting your car run for a few minutes it allows the oil to get warm and "thin out" so that it can get into all the moving parts of the engine. also, oil settles into the bottom of the engine's oil pan while its not running so when you let it idle for a bit in the morning it allows the oil to get up into the top end of your motor and lubricate everything
2007-10-15 07:01:24 · answer #1 · answered by Smurf T 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes,"Priscilla D". I ask you this just as you wouldn't get up from a sound sleep, and start running a marathon.
An engine that's been siting for a period of time. Also needs
a shall we say a little wake up warm up. You don't realize
although the car may be old or new. All of the fluids needed
to make it run safely and efficiently are siting in their prospective reservoirs. So you need to allow all the lubricants
and others to reach their proper areas before you start running the engine, at 70-80mph because you are running late.
The engine will run, even if you don't run it for five minutes,
but eventually you will be paying for some very costly repairs.
I'm sure you have better use of your money than sticking it in a car your still making payments on or what ever the case may be in your situation.
Besides did you also know that by running your car 5minutes
in the morning "IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT".
You say I'm crazy. It is a known fact that doing so, WARMS UP THE CATALITIC CONVERTER thus causing it to be more effective in combating harmful emissions that would
other wise be expelled into the atmosphere.
Mr vadebo She said "warm up" not siting Idling.
2007-10-15 05:22:11 · answer #2 · answered by "MAIKOO".... 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What kind of cold weather are we talking about, 10 Below for long periods? Warm up time in most cases is 30 Seconds to 3 minutes! Really. Mainly to get the oil flowing through the engine. But Like I said if it's really cold (Snow & Ice) you might want to warm it up for oil circulation and to get the coolant warm for the heater in the car.
It also depends weather the car is parked outside or not.
2007-10-15 20:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
RE: What are some sturdy much less high priced the thank you to maintain a automobile engine/battery heat on iciness nights? I certainly have a 2000 Saturn SL2 and interestingly from the former day night to this morning the temperature dropped a lot. It went from 40 tiers all the way down to -3 tiers. I didn't be attentive to this through fact I didn't step outdoors returned as quickly as I have been given domicile the former day at 5pm and didn't get to observe the climate (fell...
2016-11-08 09:33:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Metal wears slower at warmer temperature (up to a point). Engines are designed to operate at around 200 degrees. It may not cause harm to drive a newer engine cold, but I think about it like smoking cigarettes... each one shortens your life a little statistically. Example: my mom had a 1994 Ford conversion van bought brand new. It was almost always allowed to warm up idling, because my mom has poor circulation, and MS (heat makes her motor function drop). She wouldn't get in until it was warmed up in the winter, or the cabin cooled down in the summer. This engine lasted 287,000 miles without any work other than routine tune-ups and maintenance. (the engine was still good when the van caught fire) The transmission and a bunch of other things were replaced, but the engine never once had any problems. Always started easy and ran smooth. Newer cars warm up pretty fast, this is intentional to reduce cold start emissions. If you don't have time to warm it up, just accelerate a little easier until it's warm.
2007-10-15 06:31:08 · answer #5 · answered by NavVet82 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The advice I have heard is that you should be underway as soon as the oil pressure light goes out (which in most cars is immediate) and the engine is running smoothly. The engine will actually warm up faster if you drive as opposed to letting it sit. But also follow the advice of other posters and make sure you can see out. Remember when you sit and idle you are getting 0 mpg. Take it easy for the first few miles, especially turbos.
2007-10-15 05:06:35 · answer #6 · answered by tucsondude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
With computer-controlled‚ fuel-injected engines‚ you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away. Contrary to popular belief‚ the best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it.
Warming up the vehicle means more than warming the engine. The tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts also need to be warm for the vehicle to perform well. Most of these parts don't begin to warm up until you drive the vehicle.
2007-10-15 05:04:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the windows need clearing before you start out, then start the car first and let it warm up while you scrape the ice and snow off your windows. If your windows are clear and you can drive safely, then give your engine about 30 seconds to wake up before you drive off. Your car's heater and other components will warm up faster while you drive, and it doesn't hurt them to start out gently while still cold.
Allowing your car to sit and idle for several minutes before driving just wastes gasoline.
2007-10-15 05:05:25 · answer #8 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Newer cars warm up faster than older ones maybe 5 Min's to get water or coolant flowing properly, get oil though the engine should be fine...
2007-10-15 05:06:21 · answer #9 · answered by lingo bingo 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Believe it or not, you should only warm up your car for five minutes before you start driving. That's the best thing for the engine.
2007-10-15 05:01:18 · answer #10 · answered by angeleyes 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋