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Do cars need to be warmed up in the winter before driving them?
I just bought my first car, but I've never even done anything with a car before. I got my license and that's about it for my whole experience with vehicles. Anyway, I know my dad has his truck warm up before he goes anywhere in the winter. I don't know if he does this so the interior is warmer for him to sit in or if it has to do with the car needing to be warmed up so it doesn't break. So, do I need to make time to warm my car up in the morning before driving to school or can I just hop in and go? It's a 1999 model so it's kind of old and used too so I really don't want to mess it up right away. K Thanks
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If he's warming up his vehicle to protect the engine, it's unnecessary with today's oil additives and engine designs.
My 91 and 92 chevrolets both had this thing called a heat stove. What this did was pull radiant heat off of the exhaust manifold and suck it into the air intake to help the engine warm up. On my 2001 chevrolet, there is a system that runs warm coolant around the throttle body to warm up the air going into the engine.
Way back in the day (WAY back, like 1930), there wasn't such a thing as 10W30 oil. You just had 30 weight detergent or non-detergent oil. The "W" in 10W30 oil means "winter". It's an additive that the oil companies add to the oil that keeps it a liquid even at extremely low temperatures. With today's modern engine oil, your car wont be damaged if you don't warm it up under reasonable conditions.
However, one thing you don't want to do if your engine is cold hotdog it. If your engine is cold and you all of a sudden want to really get on the pedal, you could crack your block.
I wouldn't tell him this because alot of people are really set in their ways, but unless he's wanting to warm the car up for the heater, he's just wasting gas.
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When the engine is cold, it needs time to warm up so that all those fluids you have to add to it and check regularly also get to warm up. And the added benefit is that you will also be more comfortable when you get inside. But the main point is that it's better for most engines.
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There are different theories on this subject. Some believe that letting a car idle to long is bad. Others believe that warming an engine before starting out on a cold day gives you better gas mileage and prevents breakdowns, also allowing the transmission to warm up makes for easier shifting.
Different manufactures have different theories about the cars they build. My suggestion is speak to the service writer at the dealership you purchased the car from. If yo didn't purchase the car from a dealership, go to a dealership for the make and model of the car you purchased and speak with the service writer there. They know their cars the best and can offer the best advise. The other advice given by the other advisors is also good to follow.
Enjoy your new car.
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Keep the oil changed on a regular basis and keep the gas above half tank is always a good idea. I just read this article on yahoo that may be helpful.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I hope this helps and good luck.
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I agree with the last person, However a few things to keep in mind while having a car during the winter...
1. Try to keep the gas over half a tank, If you don't you have a good chance of your car freezing and the engine won't start..and man I'd rather fork up gas money then to have to pay to fix that.
2. If it snows, Keep the windshield wipers up, If you don't they will freeze and will be a bitch to clean the windows when it snows again. ;)
3. It's never a bad idea to let your car heat up before driving it will defrost the windows and warm up the engine
Good luck
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only diesels do.
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