Do Cars Need to Warm Up Before Driving?
2 Answers
Car engines do require warming up. Here are the relevant details about warming up your car: 1. Reason: After starting the car, let it idle for about a minute. When a car remains stationary for an extended period, the engine oil gradually settles to the bottom of the engine. As a result, there is no oil lubrication between the various components inside the engine. 2. Warming up technique: After starting the car, you'll notice the engine speed is around 1200 RPM. After about a minute of idling, the speed will drop to approximately 800 RPM, indicating the warm-up is complete. How long should you warm up your car before driving? The car can be driven once this signal appears. Otherwise, it may lead to increased carbon buildup in the engine, which can be more damaging than not warming up the car at all.
I've always thought that whether to warm up the car before driving depends on the situation. Back in the day when I drove older cars, I used to let it idle for a few minutes, worrying that a cold start might harm the engine, especially in winter when lubrication wasn't sufficient. But with modern cars, it's generally unnecessary—engine management systems have improved significantly, allowing the engine to warm up quickly after starting. Prolonged idling actually increases fuel consumption and wear, plus it generates extra emissions. My suggestion is to drive at low speed for a few minutes after starting, say a kilometer or two, to let the oil circulate properly. This protects the engine while saving fuel. Of course, in extremely cold regions, a brief warm-up of a few seconds to a minute to improve defrosting before driving is reasonable, but don't overdo it. Overall, developing good habits can extend your car's lifespan.
