Does a New Car Need to Warm Up in Cold Weather?
3 Answers
A new car needs to warm up in cold weather. Here are the reasons for warming up the car in winter: Engine lubrication: After the car has been parked for a long time, the engine oil flows back to the oil pan. When starting the car, the upper part of the engine does not receive lubrication. It takes about 30 seconds after ignition for the oil pump to circulate the oil to critical components like the pistons that need lubrication the most. Raising engine temperature: When the engine temperature is not high enough, the fuel system remains cold and cannot effectively vaporize gasoline completely, leading to increased fuel consumption. Once the engine reaches normal operating temperature (which takes about seven to eight minutes, varying by model), the automatic choke naturally returns to its normal state. Transmission lubrication: Transmission gear oil also requires lubrication. Gear oil is circulated only when the car is in motion, as the gears rotate and carry the oil from the bottom. During idling warm-up, the transmission does not receive proper lubrication.
When driving a new car in cold weather, I always warm it up a little. The reason is simple: at low temperatures, engine oil thickens, reducing its lubricating effectiveness. Warming up allows the oil temperature to rise, making it easier to flow inside the engine and reduce wear. New car engines usually have a protective layer, but a short warm-up helps them reach operating temperature faster. Modern cars are equipped with electronic fuel injection systems, and the ECU automatically adjusts the fuel supply ratio after startup, so there's no need to warm up as long as older cars. I usually start the engine and wait about 30 seconds until the RPM stabilizes before slowly setting off. This helps the engine warm up quickly while avoiding fuel waste and increased emissions during idling. If the temperature is below minus ten degrees Celsius, warming up for a few extra minutes can better protect the bearings. In short, a short warm-up does more good than harm, and don’t forget to check the oil quality regularly.
I have personal experience with operating a new car in cold weather. After starting it in winter, I let it warm up a bit. During the break-in period, engine components might be a bit tight in low temperatures, so preheating for 30-60 seconds allows the lubricating oil to circulate smoothly, reducing early wear. However, modern engine designs are optimized and don't require idling for over 5 minutes like in the past. My approach is to wait a moment after ignition, and once the RPM stabilizes, I gently press the accelerator to start moving, maintaining low-speed driving until the engine temperature rises. This helps the engine adapt quickly, saves fuel, and protects the battery load. Maintaining this habit long-term keeps the car in better condition. In extremely cold regions, adding a bit more preheating time is safer, but avoid excessive idling to prevent carbon buildup issues.
