How Long Should You Warm Up a Car After Starting?
2 Answers
After starting the car, warming it up for 30 seconds to one minute is sufficient. Below are some additional details about warming up a car: 1. Both summer and winter require warming up the car, with winter requiring a longer warm-up time than summer. After sitting overnight, the lubricating oil on the engine's friction surfaces has mostly dissipated, leaving them without oil film protection. Low temperatures increase the viscosity of the oil, reducing its adhesion and fluidity, which increases resistance when starting the engine. 2. For vehicles with advanced fuel injection technology, precise computer control ensures accurate fuel injection and high fuel atomization. These cars only need a short time after starting for the engine speed to stabilize and reach the specified idle speed. Therefore, fuel-injected cars do not require prolonged warm-up times.
To be honest, I'm an experienced driver with over a decade behind the wheel, and warming up the car is quite nuanced. In winter, I usually let the engine idle for five to six minutes after starting—this allows the temperature to rise and the oil to flow smoothly, protecting the engine bearings. Modern car technology has changed; many fuel-injected systems don't require prolonged idling. Just 30 seconds to two minutes after startup is sufficient, depending on the outside temperature. When it's below -10°C, I wait a bit longer until the coolant temperature gauge starts moving before driving off, to minimize cold-start wear and avoid higher fuel consumption. And don’t forget to check the mirrors and lights—safety first!
