Is It Necessary to Warm Up the Car in Winter?
2 Answers
It is necessary to warm up the car in winter. After idling for about a minute, you should drive slowly at low speed. The reasons for warming up the car in winter are as follows: 1. After the car has been parked for a period of time, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. Therefore, when starting the engine, the upper part of the engine is without oil and lacks lubrication. It takes about 30 seconds after starting the engine for the oil pump to deliver oil to components such as the pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft. 2. After the vehicle is started, the lubrication oil has not yet been fully supplied during idling, making this the period when wear is most likely to occur. Most wear on engine components happens within the first three minutes after a cold start. Therefore, in winter, especially during severe cold, the idling warm-up time should not be too long—about one minute is sufficient. After one minute, the driver can proceed to warm up the car by driving slowly at low speed or idling.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've been through many winter driving situations. Older cars indeed required a few minutes of warm-up to let the engine oil heat up and protect the engine, but modern cars are different with much more advanced technology. After starting the engine, I wait about 30 seconds to a minute for the oil pressure to stabilize and the oil to circulate and cover the engine components, then slowly drive out, keeping the speed low for the first few kilometers to let the engine gradually warm up. Excessive idling to warm up the car just wastes fuel, increases pollutant emissions, and isn't environmentally friendly—winter fuel consumption is already higher, so handling it properly can save money. Also, check the coolant and tire pressure to prevent freezing and cracking. Safety first—don't forget to clear ice and snow from the windshield before setting off to avoid blurred vision. In short, with modern cars, you can start and go—warming up should be done in moderation to protect the engine while being practical and time-saving.
