Does a Car Need to Warm Up Before Starting?

[DeJaxson]

Yes, a car needs to warm up before starting because the engine temperature is low when first started, and the lubricating oil has not yet reached all parts. Driving immediately can cause dry friction between components and wear out the parts. The warm-up time does not need to be too long. The standard for determining when it's ready is when the water temperature gauge needle starts to move, or when the engine tachometer drops back to idle speed after starting, which takes about a minute. The engine requires lubrication to work properly. After being stationary for a long time, the lubricating oil flows back into the oil pan, so it's necessary to let the engine idle first, allowing the lubricating oil to fully lubricate all necessary parts before applying load. This helps extend the engine's lifespan.