Is It Necessary to Warm Up the Car in Summer?
4 Answers
It is necessary to warm up the car in summer. Generally, warming up should not exceed 2 minutes (within 30 seconds after starting, sufficient oil pressure has already been established inside the engine, and the oil can circulate smoothly). After the car has been parked for a long time, the engine oil flows back to the lower part of the engine, the oil pan. Therefore, when starting the engine after a long period of inactivity (such as overnight), the upper part of the engine is without oil and lacks lubrication. It takes about 10 seconds after starting for the oil pump to circulate the oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication the most, such as the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft. However, even if you start driving immediately after starting the engine, as long as you avoid stomping on the accelerator and maintain low-speed operation, the effect is the same as idling. Before the engine reaches its operating temperature (approximately between 90-110 degrees Celsius), the fuel supply system cannot effectively vaporize the gasoline completely due to the low temperature. When the gasoline is still in a wet, liquid state, it is difficult to burn and start the engine. At this point, the choke valve comes into play, restricting some air from entering the cylinders to increase the gasoline/air mixture ratio and raise the engine speed to prevent stalling. Once the normal operating temperature is reached, the automatic choke valve will naturally return to its normal state due to mechanical action. For cars with a manual choke valve, it is essential to remember to release the choke valve; otherwise, an overly rich fuel/air mixture will not only waste gasoline and result in insufficient power but also cause incomplete combustion, leading to black smoke. A cold engine takes about 7-8 to over 10 minutes to reach its normal operating temperature, depending on the vehicle model. During this period, there is no need to warm up the car while stationary; simply avoiding high-speed driving is sufficient.
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and I never neglect warming up the car in summer. Although high temperatures allow engine oil to circulate faster after startup, during a cold start, the oil hasn't yet covered all components. A brief warm-up lets the oil pump work fully, reducing internal wear. Especially in cities with frequent traffic jams, sudden high revs can easily damage the engine. I recommend waiting 30 to 40 seconds after starting, during which you can organize items in the car. Synthetic oil is better for summer use due to its superior temperature adaptability. Developing this habit protects your car and avoids repair hassles. Remember, warm-up time can be shorter than in winter, but skipping it may affect engine longevity.
As a young car owner, I think warming up the car in summer can be more casual. Modern engine technology is advanced, and oil circulation speeds up much faster after startup. I usually fasten my seatbelt and set up the navigation after ignition, which takes about half a minute, then drive out slowly to warm up. There's no need to wait as long as in winter—it just wastes fuel and causes pollution. In summer, with the hot air blowing, oil fluidity improves, so waiting 20 seconds is enough. However, avoid stomping on the accelerator; let the engine warm up gradually. A reliable car ensures a worry-free trip.
As a mom who often drives to pick up and drop off kids, I also warm up the car briefly in summer. The engine needs oil lubrication when starting, and warming it up a bit helps prevent premature wear. After starting, idle for half a minute to let the oil circulate before driving. In hot summer weather, you can shorten the time a bit, but skipping the warm-up will increase wear and lead to expensive repair costs. Protecting your car means peace of mind, especially when using it frequently. Remember not to turn the air conditioning to full blast too early.
