AUTONEWS

Winter myth busted: why warming up, or running your engine while standing, is not good for your car

Traditionally, many drivers have believed that it is necessary to warm up your car for a long time in a stationary position before driving off, especially on cold winter days.

However, experts from foreign websites and car portals point out that this can have a negative effect on the engine, especially in modern cars with electronic fuel injection.

Idling is not the best way to warm up an engine, explains Popular Mechanics. They asked Volvo, which conducts tests in icy weather in the Arctic, whether their new cars need any warm-up, and the answer was very simple.

– It is best to give the engine just a few seconds to build up oil pressure before normal driving, and good quality and condition of the oil are key to protecting the engine in cold start conditions – said a Volvo spokesperson, HAK Revija reports.

So, it is enough to give it just a little time after starting and you can drive off.

Otherwise, prolonged idling does not warm up the engine effectively, because the engine is operating at a low temperature and the fuel is not partially burned. This leads to the accumulation of carbon deposits, oil contamination and wear of piston rings and cylinder walls. In the long run, this can accelerate engine wear, damage spark plugs and the exhaust system, and also increase harmful emissions and fuel consumption.

Studies show that modern vehicles can start immediately, with a light drive for the first few minutes, without the need for a long warm-up. In this way, the engine reaches the optimal operating temperature faster and fuel combustion is more efficient, which reduces wear and harmful deposits.

Practical tips for drivers in winter:

– Short engine start: it is enough to start the car and let it run for 30–60 seconds while you check the mirrors and seat belts.

– Slow movement: drive at a moderate pace for the first few minutes of driving, avoiding sudden acceleration and high engine speeds.

– Regular maintenance: check the oil and filters, because in winter the engine operates at low temperatures and the oil must lubricate all parts well.

– Do not leave the car idling for long: even 2–3 minutes of additional heating increases fuel consumption and engine wear.

For decades, drivers were taught that leaving their car running for a few minutes before leaving was a good practice to "warm up the engine." This idea, inherited from the days of carburetors, is still common among millions of people, especially on cold mornings. But according to experts and automakers, Keeping your car idling to warm up can do more harm than good, reducing engine life and increasing fuel consumption unnecessarily.

Studies and manuals from modern manufacturers are unanimous: current engines do not need to be warmed up while stationary, and this habit is far from harmless. This mistake, in addition to wasting fuel, can cause residue buildup and premature wear of internal components.

In older carbureted cars, stationary warm-up was necessary to stabilize the air-fuel mixture and prevent idling. In those engines, the fuel needed an ideal temperature to vaporize properly, and driving immediately after starting the car could cause stalling, lack of power, and even stalling.

With the advancement of technology, this reality has changed completely. Modern engines use electronic injection, temperature sensors, and control modules (ECUs) that automatically adjust the fuel mixture and ignition timing from the moment the engine is started. This means the vehicle is ready to go. in seconds, even on cold days.

Despite this, the habit of "warming up the car while it's parked" still survives, passed down from generation to generation. But what appears to be care, in fact, Can be shortening the engine life.

What happens to the engine when it is left idling? When the engine runs for long periods at idle, there is incomplete lubrication and irregular combustionThis happens because, when the car is stationary, the rotation is very low and the oil does not circulate with enough pressure to lubricate all the moving parts optimally.

Additionally, excess fuel injected during cold running can wash away the oil film that protects the pistons and cylinder walls, generating friction and premature wear. The result is so-called "invisible wear"—wear that doesn't cause immediate failures but deteriorates the engine over time.

Experts say the ideal is start the car, wait 10 to 20 seconds for the oil to circulate and then drive off normally, keeping the engine idle until it reaches operating temperature. It's light driving, not idling, that warms up the engine efficiently and safely.

The impact on consumption and emissions...Leaving your car running while parked also has a direct impact on your wallet and the environment. A study by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States shows that idling for just 10 minutes consumes between 150 and 300 ml of fuel, depending on the engine. In a month, this can represent up to 3 liters of gasoline wasted just by having the car parked.

In addition to waste, the engine idling releases more concentrated polluting gases, as the catalytic converter has not yet reached the ideal temperature to operate.

Therefore, in addition to internal wear and tear, the habit increases emissions carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, impairing the performance of the emissions control system.

What car manufacturers and engineers say...Brands like Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and Chevrolet include in their manuals explicit recommendations against leaving the engine running for long periods in neutral. The reason is simple: modern engines are designed to heat up while moving.

According to Toyota engineers, "the ideal warm-up time is just enough to put on your seatbelt and adjust the rearview mirror." After that, the vehicle can be driven smoothly, maintaining low revs until it reaches normal temperature.

Honda reinforces that the natural movement of the car helps the oil and coolant reach the ideal temperature more quickly, avoiding wear caused by irregular fuel combustion.

On cold days, what should really be done? Instead of leaving the car idle for several minutes, the recommendation is simple:

-Start the engine and wait about 20 seconds;

-Avoid sudden acceleration or high revs in the first few minutes;

-Use quality fuel to ensure correct lubrication during the cold phase;

-Perform regular check-ups of the oil and the electronic injection system.

By following these practices, the engine heats up naturally and safely, with full lubrication and no additional wear.

The experts' conclusion...The habit of warming up the car in neutral may seem like a form of care, but in practice is one of the most common and costly mistakes made by drivers. It wastes fuel, increases pollutant emissions and accelerates internal engine wear.

In modern engines, efficient heating means light and progressive movement, not waiting time. In other words: start, wait a few seconds, and continue your journey—this is the right recipe for ensuring your engine lasts much longer.