How long should I warm up my car after it has been idle for a long time?
1 Answers
Warming up your car for two to three minutes is sufficient after it has been idle for a long time. You can proceed once the water temperature gauge reaches the normal range. When a car sits unused for an extended period, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. Warming up the car allows the oil to circulate and reach critical components like the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft that require lubrication. The duration of warming up is typically determined by the engine's RPM—once it stabilizes around 800 RPM, the car is ready. Different car models, engine displacements, loads, and climate conditions may require slight variations in warm-up time. The key principle is that warming up should be a gradual process of increasing temperature and acceleration, avoiding prolonged idling. Both summer and winter require warming up, with winter generally needing a longer preheating time than summer.