Do Turbocharged Engines Need Preheating?

[Valerie]

Compared to naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged models have higher requirements for warm-up, but current automotive theory does not recommend idling to warm up the engine. This is because warming up the car is not just about preheating the engine; the transmission also needs to be preheated. The concept of warming up the car dates back to the era of carburetors, as carburetors have an optimal operating temperature range. Before reaching the working temperature, carburetors cannot effectively atomize fuel, so warming up was indeed necessary. More details are as follows: 1. Today, turbocharged engines have become mainstream. Compared to traditional naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged engines offer advantages such as smaller displacement and stronger power. However, in comparison, turbocharged engines have higher fuel requirements or slightly higher maintenance costs in the long run. 2. During winter use, turbocharged engines also require warm-up when starting cold, similar to naturally aspirated engines. However, prolonged idling to warm up the engine is not recommended; generally, about half a minute is sufficient.