How Long Should You Warm Up a Cold Car in Winter?
2 Answers
In winter, a cold car should be warmed up for 3 to 5 minutes. After prolonged parking, the engine oil flows back to the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. Upon ignition, the upper part of the engine is in a state without oil and lacks lubrication. It takes about 30 seconds after starting for the oil pump to circulate and deliver oil to the engine components that need lubrication, such as the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft. Idling only warms up the engine and transmission. Once the water temperature rises, you can use the air conditioning for heating, but it does not warm up the drivetrain, tires, or suspension. When temperatures are particularly low, driving immediately after starting places a heavy load on the cold engine, which can affect its service life.
In winter mornings when starting the car, I usually wait for the tachometer needle to stabilize before driving. Old-school mechanics always insisted on thoroughly warming up the engine, but now my mechanic friend says idling for warm-up is unnecessary—just let the oil circulate for about 30 seconds. The key is gentle driving after starting, avoiding hard acceleration before the coolant reaches operating temperature. When cold, engine components lack proper lubrication, making dry friction particularly damaging. The engine may sound louder and fuel consumption may be higher initially, which is normal. My routine is keeping RPMs below 2,500 during initial driving until the coolant gauge reaches mid-scale and warm air blows from the vents, then driving normally. This protects the engine, saves fuel, and reduces carbon buildup.
