Mechanic Explains Why You Should Warm Your Car

The question is still debated: Should you warm up your car in the winter?

Some say, today's modern cars don't need it, plus they worry about wasted fuel and emissions. But according to the master mechanic, in the video below, when it gets cold enough, you SHOULD WARM YOUR CAR! Especially when the temperatures drop below freezing. 32f.

Older cars have carburetors that need to warm up in order to work properly. According to this mechanic, about 5 to 10 minutes of running at idle should do it. A bit longer in extreme cold.

Newer cars don't have carburetors, but they still need oil. Oil becomes thick, like molasses, in extreme cold. Warming the oil loosens it up and makes lets if flow through the car as it should. Warming for about 3 to 5 minutes in most cases works, a bit longer in harsh and extreme cold.

Our master mechanic explains in the video below.

DO NOT race your engine to warm it. Let it idle and watch the temperature rise. Listen to the engine. You'll hear it.

In recent years, a few news stories made the rounds saying that you should not warm your car in the winter. But those reporters never bothered asking someone who works on engines all day, every day.

Warming your car in winter is important to let thick engine oil circulate, reducing wear, and allowing components to warm up for better performance, fuel efficiency, and cabin comfort, though modern cars need less idling time; just a minute or two before driving gently is often enough, as driving itself warms the engine faster and better than prolonged idling.

Warming your car and also allowing the heat to warm your windshield makes removing ice easier, and also helps prevent the windshield from fogging while you're driving.