How long should you warm up your car in winter?
2 Answers
In winter, it usually takes about 30 seconds to one minute to warm up the car before driving, but you should maintain low-speed driving and keep the engine speed around 2,000 RPM. Once the water temperature returns to normal, you can resume your usual driving habits. Here are some winter car usage tips: Control the interior temperature: Due to the significant temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments in winter, it’s important to regulate the heating system properly. Avoid setting the heater too high, as excessively warm interiors can make drivers drowsy. Keeping the temperature moderate helps maintain alertness and reduces distractions. Park your car in a garage when possible: Winter temperatures are low, so extra care is needed when parking your car, especially to protect the battery. Cold weather can make starting the engine difficult. Whenever possible, park your car in an underground garage and ensure regular maintenance, including checking fluids and the battery’s condition. Regularly inspect the wiper blades: Although wipers are used less frequently in winter, they endure harsher conditions. Low temperatures can cause wiper blades to stiffen and age, reducing their effectiveness. If not properly protected during snowfall, the blades may freeze. Therefore, proper maintenance of wipers is essential during winter.
Here’s a little trick I’ve learned from over a decade of driving when it comes to warming up the car in winter. Now driving a gasoline car, when the weather turns cold, I usually wait just 30 seconds to a minute before setting off. The old-timers used to say you needed to warm up the car for 10 minutes, but with modern engine technology, lubricants quickly coat the internal components. The key is to start driving slowly once the RPM stabilizes, keeping the speed and revs low for the first few kilometers to let the engine temperature rise naturally. Excessive idling—like sitting for over 5 minutes—is unnecessary, wastes fuel, and increases exhaust emissions. I remember in summer it might be slightly shorter, but in winter, 30 seconds is enough. Don’t forget daily safety checks like oil and coolant levels; regular maintenance helps the engine endure the cold better. In extreme sub-zero conditions, you might wait up to two minutes, but don’t overdo it—saving time is saving money.
