Do Sedans Need to Warm Up?

[DeLily]

Sedans do need to warm up, requiring idling for about one minute before driving slowly at low speeds. The reasons are as follows: 1. At the moment of ignition: The upper part of the engine is in a state without oil and lacks lubrication. It takes about 30 seconds after starting the engine for the oil pump to deliver oil to components such as the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft. 2. After starting the vehicle: If the idle lubrication oil is not adequately supplied, it can easily lead to wear. Most wear on engine components occurs within the first three minutes after a cold start. After sitting overnight, the lubricating oil on the friction surfaces of the engine has mostly dissipated, losing the protective oil film.

[ONoah]

Back when I drove that old classic car, I had to warm up the engine for three to five minutes every day, otherwise the car would shake and make strange noises. But now that I've switched to a new car, the technician at the 4S dealership directly told me there's no need to idle for warm-up at all. Modern engine oil is of such high quality that it can quickly lubricate engine components upon startup. In fact, idling for warm-up is counterproductive—it wastes fuel and increases carbon buildup. My current routine is to start the engine, fasten the seatbelt, and adjust the seat, which takes about 30 seconds, then drive off immediately. For the first few kilometers, I drive gently without stomping on the accelerator, and once the coolant temperature gauge starts moving, I drive normally. Prolonged idling for warm-up can also lead to excessive exhaust emissions, which is bad for the environment.

[VanDiana]

I've been commuting by car for over a decade and never warm up the engine while stationary. You know what? When idling, the engine bears minimal load, which actually makes it heat up extremely slowly. The temperature gauge on the dashboard barely moves for ages. The most scientific approach is to start driving at low speed immediately after ignition, keeping the RPM below 2000 for the first two kilometers. This ensures proper engine lubrication while saving time. I've been doing this even in -10°C winters, and my car has never had any issues. The manual clearly states that modern engines are designed with cold starts in mind – idling to warm up is completely outdated.

[StEmmanuel]

After twenty years in auto repair, I've noticed a pattern: car owners who insist on warming up their vehicles actually experience higher failure rates. Modern full-synthetic oils have excellent low-temperature fluidity and can lubricate properly even at -30°C in seconds. Idling to warm up leads to incomplete fuel combustion, causing carbon deposits to clog spark plugs and catalytic converters. Last year, a customer who warmed up his car for ten minutes daily ended up replacing the oxygen sensor three times. It's better to drive off right after starting, allowing the transmission and suspension systems to warm up simultaneously. Remember to check the antifreeze's freezing point—that's what really matters.

[DeAxel]

As an environmentally conscious person, I oppose idling to warm up the car. Experimental data shows that idling for three minutes is equivalent to driving an extra kilometer in terms of exhaust emissions, with a sharp increase in PM2.5 production. The car's computer automatically increases fuel injection during cold starts to ensure lubrication, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Last time, I saw a neighbor in my community idling their car for ten minutes in winter, and the condensed water dripping from the exhaust pipe even froze. My suggestion is to dress warmly, get in the car, start the engine, complete the self-check, and drive off immediately. Opening the windows for the first 500 meters can also help with air circulation.

[GideonDella]

For families with elderly and children frequently using the car, my experience is: special treatment is only needed in extreme weather. In summer, there's no need to warm up the car at all—just start the engine, fasten your seatbelt, and you're ready to go. In winter when it's below minus ten degrees Celsius, after starting the engine, wait for the tachometer to drop from 1200 RPM to around 800 RPM, which takes about 20 seconds. This is the perfect time to set up navigation and check tire pressure. The worst is when inexperienced drivers pretend to know better, idling the car while scrolling on their phones for over ten minutes—this not only harms the car but also wastes fuel. Remember not to turn on the heater within the first five minutes after starting, as it will slow down the warming of the engine coolant.