What are the damages to the car if not warming it up?

[LeBrielle]

Not warming up the car can cause the following damages: engine wear, as the engine oil settles at the bottom when the car is cold, leaving the engine internals in a state of dry friction. The method to warm up the car is: after starting the vehicle, let it idle for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the engine coolant temperature to reach normal levels before driving. The benefits of warming up the car are: 1. After prolonged parking, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan, leaving the upper part of the engine lacking lubrication. Warming up helps to lubricate these parts; 2. When the engine hasn't reached its operating temperature, the fuel system, still cold, cannot effectively vaporize gasoline completely. Warming up improves efficiency; 3. It helps distribute the transmission gear oil to lubricate the upper part of the transmission.

[OFrancisco]

I've been driving for over 20 years and have seen many engines fail prematurely due to not warming up. During cold starts, the oil hasn't fully lubricated yet, causing internal engine components to wear like dry friction, especially in turbocharged models. The piston ring and cylinder wall gaps are larger at low temperatures, and aggressive driving accelerates wear. The transmission fluid isn't warmed up either, resulting in noticeable gearshift jerks. Don't be fooled by modern car technology—when it's below freezing in winter, you should still wait about 30 seconds until the tachometer drops from 1200 RPM to 1000 RPM before moving off. Keep it under 3000 RPM for the first few kilometers. This habit can extend your engine's life by years. A former colleague of mine used to floor the accelerator on a cold engine every day, and his car needed major repairs after just 8 years.

[DelaneyFitz]

Don't underestimate those few seconds of warm-up time. When the engine oil is cold, its viscosity is high, making it difficult to flow into small areas like the crankshaft bearings. Direct metal-to-metal friction generates fine iron particles, which mix into the oil and further wear down other components. In our auto repair shop, we've disassembled many engines, and those subjected to long-term cold starts often show scratches all over the cylinder walls. Although modern vehicles come with quick warm-up features, the most damaging period is still the first two minutes after startup. It's best to wait until the RPM needle on the dashboard stabilizes after starting, then drive at low speed for a few minutes. This method is more efficient than idling to warm up the engine. Avoid aggressive acceleration until the coolant temperature reaches 90 degrees.

[MacGianna]

Every time I see my neighbor flooring the gas pedal to rush out of the neighborhood in winter, I feel bad for his car. When the engine is cold, the oil flows as slowly as syrup, and poor cylinder sealing leads to incomplete combustion—cars with dripping exhaust pipes are usually like this. Short-distance commuters suffer the most, as they reach their destination before the engine warms up, leading to severe carbon buildup. My habit is to insert the key, turn on the ignition to let the fuel pump work, and then start the engine. The time it takes to fasten the seatbelt is just enough for the oil to circulate. In places where temperatures drop to -20°C, the key to protecting the engine is idling for 60 seconds and driving gently for the first five kilometers.

[StPresley]

New car manuals all say warming up the engine is unnecessary, but actual tests show oil needs to reach 60°C for full lubrication. Last week, using a borescope to inspect a friend's engine, we found his valves had more carbon buildup after two years without warm-ups than a five-year-old engine. The most noticeable difference was fuel consumption - his car now burns 1L more per 100km. Beyond the engine, transmission gears also mesh roughly with cold oil. When teaching my daughter to drive, I always instruct: After ignition, wait until the windshield wipers operate normally before moving - this duration allows the oil pump to complete one circulation. Keep RPM below 2000 for the first two kilometers - that's most vehicle-friendly.

[AriannaMarie]

Mechanics know best how damaging cold starts can be. After disassembling engines with over 100,000 km mileage, I've observed that cylinders from vehicles with proper warm-up routines show only 0.02mm wear, while those subjected to immediate cold driving exhibit 0.1mm wear. When oil temperature is below 50°C, lubrication efficiency drops by half, with camshafts and crankshaft journals suffering the most friction. Aluminum alloy engines are particularly vulnerable - their rapid thermal expansion makes them prone to scoring. Turbocharged engines fare worse, as sudden boost pressure without proper warm-up can damage bearings. I recommend monitoring oil temperature instead of coolant temperature - many modern vehicles now have this feature. Below freezing, I always follow three steps: 1) Turn on ignition and wait for system check completion, 2) Idle for 30 seconds after starting, 3) Drive gently for 2km. This maintenance routine can prevent major overhauls for a decade.