How long should you warm up a car that hasn't been driven for a long time?
3 Answers
For a car that hasn't been used for a long time, warming up for 1 to 3 minutes is completely sufficient. Prolonged idling to warm up the engine is not recommended. If the car hasn't been left unused for an extended period, there's no need to warm it up. Modern cars mostly use fuel-injected engines, which don't require warming up. During the carburetor era, engines did need to idle for a while to warm up, but fuel-injected engines don't require this at all. Below is some relevant information: 1. Many drivers have the habit of warming up the engine while idling. However, when the engine idles, combustion is incomplete, and prolonged idling can lead to increased carbon deposits in the engine, which is harmful. 2. When warming up the engine while idling, the engine's temperature rises very slowly. The correct way to warm up the engine is to start it, engage the gear, and drive off immediately, just avoid running the engine at high RPMs during the initial driving period. 3. Driving immediately after starting the engine increases the engine's load, which helps it warm up faster. Additionally, driving right after starting the engine allows the transmission fluid to reach its optimal operating temperature sooner, which is also beneficial for the transmission.
As a friend with some knowledge about cars and frequent exposure to automotive information, I can share that when a car hasn't been driven for an extended period, such as several weeks or months, it's advisable to warm up the engine before driving. Modern car engine designs have advanced significantly, eliminating the need for prolonged warm-up periods like older vehicles. Typically, waiting 30 to 60 seconds is sufficient to allow the oil to circulate and lubricate all components. Excessive warm-up time only wastes fuel, increases exhaust emissions, and harms the environment. The key is to let the oil temperature rise slightly to reduce cold-start wear and protect the engine's lifespan. In particularly cold weather, you might extend the warm-up time slightly. After starting, it's best to gently press the accelerator and drive out slowly, avoiding sudden high-speed bursts. Maintaining gentle operation for a few minutes allows the engine to adapt smoothly. In summary, neither too short nor too long a warm-up is ideal; keeping it between half a minute to a minute is optimal, ensuring both safe driving and no harm to the vehicle.
Speaking of this, I've been driving for decades and have encountered situations where the car hasn't been started for a while. My experience is not to rush out immediately after starting; let the engine run for about 40 seconds first. There's no need for too long, like over two minutes—that's just burning fuel and wasting money. Especially with today's new cars, the oil pump starts working as soon as the engine is turned on, quickly covering the internals. If the car has been parked for a long time, I also check the tires and battery, but warming up is the priority. After about half a minute, when the engine sound stabilizes and the temperature gauge moves slightly, I feel comfortable driving slowly. Don't forget, in winter or humid weather, it's common sense to wait an extra 10 seconds to prevent unexpected wear. Overall, keep it simple and straightforward—no need to complicate things.
