Do Cars Need to Warm Up Now?
2 Answers
From the perspective of the engine, modern engines are all electronically fuel-injected and no longer require warming up. Here are some relevant points: 1. From the standpoint of car maintenance and extending the vehicle's lifespan, warming up the car appropriately is not harmful. Without warming up, you can start the engine, shift into gear, and drive immediately, which increases the engine load and helps it warm up quickly. 2. Electronically fuel-injected cars do not need to idle to warm up. Idling leads to incomplete combustion, which increases carbon deposits in the engine. Many drivers believe that idling allows the oil to fully lubricate the engine, but in reality, 99% of engine wear occurs during the cold start. During a cold start, the oil has not yet reached all the surfaces that need lubrication, leading to significant wear. 3. Once the engine starts, the oil can reach all necessary lubrication points within seconds, significantly reducing engine wear. If you want the engine to reach its optimal operating temperature quickly, you can drive immediately after starting, just avoid high RPMs during the initial operation.
To be honest, the habit of warming up cars has become outdated over my years of driving. Back in the day when I drove older vehicles, I always had to let the engine idle for three to five minutes before driving in winter, otherwise the thick oil would make the car shake when running. But modern cars are completely different—they use advanced fuel injection systems and thinner oils, stabilizing oil pressure within seconds after startup, allowing you to drive off immediately. With my current car, I just start the engine, fasten my seatbelt, check the mirrors, and drive away. A slow drive for a kilometer or two is enough to warm it up. This not only saves fuel (idling for an hour can burn half a liter of gas) but also reduces emissions. If you're in a cold northern region, I’d recommend using synthetic oil and installing a preheater for smoother winter driving. The key is to avoid prolonged idling, as it increases carbon buildup. In short, developing good habits protects both your car and the environment.
