Is It Harmful to Drive Without Warming Up the Car in Winter?

[JosiahLee]

Driving without warming up the car in winter can cause wear and tear on the engine, transmission, and other parts of the car, leading to a shortened lifespan; it also increases fuel consumption and makes the engine more prone to carbon deposits. Reasons for warming up the car in winter: After being parked for a long time, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan at the bottom of the engine; before the engine reaches its operating temperature, the fuel system cannot effectively vaporize gasoline due to the low temperature; in cold conditions, gear oil flows to the lower part of the transmission. Specific steps for warming up the car in winter: Start the car for 30 seconds to one minute until the engine coolant reaches normal temperature, then you can start driving. However, avoid high-speed driving at this time—maintain a low speed and do not exceed 2000 RPM. While driving at low speed, monitor the coolant temperature gauge. If it rises slightly, you can shift up appropriately. After driving about one kilometer, the car will be fully warmed up, and you can then drive normally.