The Truth About Warming Up Your Car: Debunking Myths and Tips for Cold Weather Driving

2024-01-10 20:37:00

Published on January 10, 2024 at 3:37 p.m.

Contrary to what one might believe, there is no risk of damaging the mechanics of your vehicle if you do not take a few minutes to warm up the engine before hitting the road. Your car is ready to go after just 30 seconds of starting it, enough time to get comfortably inside or clean your windshield.

In cold weather, the only risk of hitting the road a few seconds after starting is if you press the accelerator all the way down.

“If you start the vehicle with a bang and rush off, the oil is sure to be very cold and viscous. It therefore did not have time to go everywhere in the engine in the case of a gasoline vehicle,” explains Jesse Caron, automotive expert at CAA-Quebec.

Mr. Caron points out that for most vehicles built from the 1990s onwards, a start of 30 seconds to a minute is enough to get on the road and that in any case, the best way to warm up an engine is to drive.

“A vehicle’s engine warms up much more quickly when you’re driving than when you let it idle,” he says.

As for electric vehicles, it is less crucial to wait around thirty seconds to get them moving. To maintain the autonomy of this type of vehicle, you can leave them plugged in or preheat the passenger compartment.

When the remote starter drains your battery

If you use a remote starter, be aware that the vehicle’s battery will discharge each time you attempt to start it. In cold weather, after several tries, you may need to recharge it.

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