How Many Minutes Should a Car Warm Up?
2 Answers
It takes 1 minute for a car to warm up. Here are some precautions regarding car warm-up: 1. Avoid prolonged warm-up: Most car owners believe that the longer the warm-up time, the better. In fact, prolonged warm-up not only consumes a large amount of gasoline but also damages the engine. The correct way to warm up is to start driving slowly within 30 seconds to 1 minute after starting the car, and accelerate only after the temperature returns to normal. 2. Tire pressure should be slightly higher rather than lower: Due to low external temperatures, low tire pressure can accelerate tire aging. Besides affecting driving safety and braking effectiveness, it also accelerates shoulder wear and increases fuel consumption. Excessive tire pressure reduces the contact area between the tire and the ground, worsens tread wear, and decreases braking effectiveness. 3. Use warm water to wipe icy windows: Icy windows are common in winter, especially after rain or snow. Do not pour hot water on the windows, as this can easily cause the glass to crack and make the car paint lose its luster due to sudden temperature changes.
As a mechanic with over a decade of experience, I've seen too many people damage their cars by excessively warming them up. Most modern cars now have fuel-injected engines, where the oil can circulate properly within about 30 seconds of starting. Idling for more than a minute to warm up the engine is unnecessary—it not only increases carbon buildup but also wastes fuel. I usually advise drivers to buckle up, adjust their navigation, and start driving right after ignition, just keeping the RPM below 2000 for the first 2-3 kilometers. Once the temperature gauge starts moving, you can drive normally—much better than idling in the neighborhood with white smoke billowing out.
