How long should a car be warmed up after not being driven for a long time?
3 Answers
After a car has not been driven for a long time, it should be warmed up for 5 minutes. The method to warm up the car is: 1. Start the vehicle and keep the air conditioning turned off; 2. Let the engine idle for 1 minute; 3. Drive slowly after the engine runs smoothly; 4. Once the temperature gauge rises by 1 to 2 bars, you can drive normally and use the air conditioning. The damage caused by not warming up the car includes: causing engine wear, as the engine oil settles at the bottom when the car is cold, leaving the engine internals in a state of dry friction. The benefits of warming up the car are: 1. After being parked for a long time, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan, leaving the upper part lacking lubrication—warming up helps lubricate it; 2. When the engine hasn't reached its operating temperature, the fuel system cannot effectively vaporize gasoline completely due to the low temperature—warming up improves efficiency; 3. It helps the transmission gear oil lubricate the upper part of the transmission.
Back in the day when I drove for decades, we had to warm up the car for 5 to 10 minutes after long periods of parking, claiming it was to heat up the engine to prevent damage. But times have changed, and automotive technology has advanced significantly. Nowadays, waiting just 10 to 20 seconds after starting is enough—mainly to let the oil circulate inside the engine. Then, driving slowly for a kilometer or two allows the engine to warm up naturally. Warming it up too long actually wastes fuel, increases emissions, and can even cause carbon buildup, harming the car. As an extra reminder, if the car hasn’t been driven for a while, it’s best to check whether the battery is still fully charged and if the tire pressure is normal to avoid issues on the road. In short, don’t stick to outdated habits of unnecessarily warming up the car—keeping it simple and effective is key, saving fuel and being eco-friendly.
As someone who deeply cares about environmental protection, I always aim to minimize pollution while driving. If my car has been parked for a long time, I never let it idle for too long to warm up—anything beyond 30 seconds is just a waste of fuel and air pollution. After starting the engine, I wait about 10 seconds for the oil to circulate properly before driving off, as the engine warms up more evenly and efficiently while in motion. Remember, idling just means the engine is running without moving the car, which doesn’t actually help warm it up. From another perspective, leaving a car unused for extended periods can lead to tire deformation or brake rust, so I recommend taking short drives regularly to maintain its condition. This approach not only protects the environment but also saves hassle and helps cultivate good habits.
