Should you warm up your car engine before driving? What to know as NC temps drop
On chilly fall mornings in North Carolina, there’s no better feeling than hopping into a nice, warm car before you leave for work.
But is warming your car up better for your engine’s performance? It was a few decades ago, when most vehicles were equipped with carburetors, according to J.D. Power.
“Older cars, which relied on carburetors, did need warming up to work well. Without warming up, the carburetor would not be able to get the right mix of air and fuel in the engine, and the car would stall out,” J.D. Power says. “Because of that, drivers sometimes waited for 10 minutes before even entering the vehicle.”
Since car manufacturers switched to fuel-injected engines, it’s no longer necessary to warm up your engine, according to J.D. Power – but there are some benefits.
Should you warm your engine before driving your car?
Running your engine before driving your car on a cold day is assumed to be a good idea, but there’s no need to let your car idle for more than a minute to allow your engine to lubricate itself, according to Consumer Reports.
Letting your car idle can also help clear a frosty windshield, increasing visibility from the inside of your vehicle, according to J.D Power.
Although some drivers prefer to start their cars long before they get on the road, the fastest way to warm up an engine is by driving, Consumer Reports says.
Driving is also the most efficient way to quickly warm the inside of your car, too.
What are the downsides to warming your engine?
Leaving your car idle for extended periods of time can waste gas and release unnecessary emissions, according to J.D. Power.
“In modern vehicles, engine lubrication takes about 20 to 30 seconds,” J.D. Power says. “Whenever you hop in, start the car, put the seat belt on, and get situated, the engine might not reach the proper temperature but will always be fully lubricated.”
What about electric vehicles?
Colder temperatures can reduce an electric vehicle’s range by 20%, and recharging their batteries usually takes longer when it’s cold outside, Consumer reports said.
Using accessories like the cabin heater, seat heater and defroster can reduce its range even more, Consumer Reports added. To reduce the impact of cold weather, electric vehicles should be parked in garages where they can remain on a charger.
