Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Warm Up Your Car In The Winter (2024)

FAQs

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Warm Up Your Car In The Winter? ›

Consumer Reports' chief mechanic, John Ibbotson, says that giving the engine a chance to run for a minute before driving on a cold day is smart but that there isn't a need to let it run longer beyond warming the cabin and defogging the windshield. And there's a real downside: wasting fuel and generating emissions.

In fact, doing so can actually be detrimental to your vehicle. Experts with AAA Automotive insist you should only allow your engine to warm up for a little while. Feeling out of the loop?

Things NOT to Do When Warming Up Your Car

If you park in a garage, always open the door before turning on your car. Allowing your car to idle in an enclosed space can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to build up. This colorless, odorless gas can poison or even kill you if you inhale too much.

AAA says drivers should “start the engine and allow it to idle only for the time it takes you to fasten your seat belt.” The reasoning, AAA says, has to do with the way oil cycles through the engine.

The battery, belts and hoses can get damaged while it's cold out. SAN ANTONIO – Winter cold is moving into San Antonio, and it can cause many issues for your vehicle. AAA Texas said the cold temperatures can kill your car battery, deflate the tires and cause damage to the belts and hoses.

Lubrication Challenges — One of the immediate challenges during a cold start is that the engine's oil has thickened due to low temperatures. Thick oil doesn't flow as easily, making it harder for the engine's moving parts to receive proper lubrication. This can lead to increased friction and wear.

But how much do you need to drive to keep the battery charged? Experts recommend driving for at least 30 minutes once a week. This will help to keep the battery topped off and prevent it from being damaged by the cold weather. Even 10 to 15 minutes of driving can make a difference.

Depends on where it will sit, but if we think about the winter with snow and the car being outside, some of the following will be the first issues to occur: Battery goes flat. Depending on its quality and age this will be few days to 2–3 weeks. Tires go flat and/or develop flat spots.

Storing your car outside during the winter can cause components designed to flex and move to become brittle. Parts such as steering fittings, suspension fittings and the front and back wheel bearings should receive some fresh grease or lubrication before going into storage.

Parking your car in a heated garage is one of the best ways to keep the vehicle warm during freezing weather and ensure that the engine stays protected. The temperature doesn't need to be particularly warm in the garage; constant and hotter than 55 degrees should suffice.

How often should I start my car to keep the battery charged? ›

Keeping the battery from dying is everyone's first concern. Turning your engine on every week is about more than confirming it will still start. Running your engine by driving it will kick on the alternator, which allows the battery to recharge thus being able to turn on in the future.

Within seconds, your car is ready for everyday driving so that you can reach highway speeds immediately. Some experts recommend letting your car idle for up to 30 seconds before getting going, but that's the longest you should wait. Any longer than that, and you're just wasting gas.

If you leave your car idle for extended periods, aim to start it at least once a week. Let the engine run for about ten to fifteen minutes. This allows the engine to reach its optimal operating temperature and circulates the oil, which is crucial for maintaining engine health.

When temperatures drop during winter, it's a good idea to let the car run for about a minute. Some drivers prefer to let the engine idle for 20 minutes or longer to get everything—including the cabin—really warm, but the fastest way to warm up an engine is by driving.

Experts with AAA SAID the extreme heat is worse for your car than the extreme cold. The heat can cause car batteries to die, tires to pop and alternators and air conditioners to go out because of how hot the engine gets.

According to a report by AAA Automotive Research Center, your car battery power falls by about 35% at 32°F, and if the temperature drops to 0°F, it loses 60%. When your car battery loses energy, it will be hard to start the engine because your car requires at least an 80% charge to start the ignition process.

Shut off all electrical systems and wait a few minutes before starting up your car since these systems use up battery power. When starting your vehicle, dip the clutch. This allows the battery to work less, which increases your chances of starting your car.