How to Warm Up a Car in Winter?
2 Answers
Keep the air conditioning turned off after starting the vehicle. Below is more information about warming up the car: 1. Precautions: Avoid high-speed driving; maintain low speed and keep the RPM below 2000. While driving at low speed, observe the water temperature gauge. If it rises slightly, you can appropriately shift to a higher gear and proceed. After driving about one kilometer, when the car is fully warmed up, you can drive normally. 2. Reason: After the car has been parked for a long time, the engine oil flows back to the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. Therefore, when starting the engine after prolonged disuse, the upper part of the engine is without oil and lacks lubrication.
When warming up my car in winter, I usually start the engine first and let it idle for about 30 seconds to a minute. This duration is sufficient for the engine oil to lubricate the components, especially when temperatures drop below freezing, as cold starts can cause increased wear. I avoid prolonged idling because modern vehicles' electronic systems quickly adjust the temperature, and idling beyond five minutes wastes fuel and promotes carbon buildup. Afterward, I drive the first few kilometers slowly, keeping the speed under 40 km/h, allowing the transmission, brakes, and engine to warm up gradually. If snow or extreme cold is forecasted, I make it a habit to plug in a block heater the night before or park in a garage. This pre-warms the engine and reduces cold-start risks. Remember to check the antifreeze and battery condition, as cold weather drains battery power faster. Maintaining these components helps prevent unexpected failures. In summary, the key to warming up a car is balancing protection and efficiency—driving gently right away is safer and more eco-friendly than prolonged idling.
