Is it necessary to warm up the car in winter?
4 Answers
In winter, it is necessary to warm up the car to lubricate various components of the engine, but avoid prolonged idling. After the car has been parked for a long time, the engine oil inside flows back to the bottom of the engine. Without warming up, the upper part of the engine remains oil-free, and it takes about 30 seconds after starting the engine for the oil to circulate from the bottom to the upper part. When the car has been parked for an extended period, the oil in the engine returns to the oil pan at the bottom. Therefore, when starting the engine after prolonged inactivity, the upper part of the engine is in an oil-free and insufficiently lubricated state. About 30 seconds after starting, the oil pump will circulate the oil to the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft—the parts of the engine that need lubrication the most.
In winter, I always warm up the car a bit, especially when the temperature is below zero. When the engine is just started, the oil is very thick, and driving at high speeds directly can easily wear out internal parts. By idling the car for 30 seconds to a minute, the oil can flow evenly, improving lubrication and preventing engine noise or damage. After that, driving at low speed for a few minutes allows the engine to warm up naturally, which both protects the vehicle and saves fuel. I've personally experienced engine shaking in extremely cold areas without warming up, so I've developed the habit of preheating for peace of mind. Although modern car technology has advanced a bit, caution during cold starts is still necessary, as it involves driving safety and engine lifespan.
I always prioritize driving efficiency, and in winter, I generally choose not to warm up the car deliberately. Modern engine designs are quite advanced, with fuel injection systems that respond quickly to cold-start demands and more intelligent temperature regulation. After starting the engine, driving at low speeds for about 10 minutes warms it up efficiently, saving fuel and reducing emissions. I used to worry that not warming up the car would harm it, but in actual driving, I found that idling to warm up only increases fuel consumption and carbon buildup, which is bad for both the environment and the wallet. Especially in city traffic jams, idling to warm up is completely unnecessary. Of course, if the temperature drops extremely low, such as below -20°C, I will still warm it up slightly as a precaution, but in most cases, driving off directly is fine.
When it comes to warming up the car in winter, as someone who frequently drives long distances, my view is that it depends on the situation. When the temperature is below zero, I recommend warming up the car for about half a minute, mainly to avoid excessive stress on the cold engine. Then drive slowly, as the engine warms up faster while running. Prolonged lack of warming up in extremely cold regions may lead to low oil temperature, insufficient lubrication, or even difficulty starting. However, with modern vehicle improvements, there's no need to warm up excessively and waste resources. Personally, in southern winters, I hardly ever warm up the car and just drive off directly. The key is to adjust driving habits according to the weather, saving time while protecting the car.
