Is it a good or bad idea to warm up your car in cold Ohio weather? Experts weigh in
You’re running late to work and it has already been a hectic morning.
Your alarm didn’t go off, you spilled coffee on your shirt and it’s 30 degrees outside, which means you’ll have to warm up your car before driving. Your boss is really not going to be happy.
Unless you don’t really have to warm up your car. It’s just something people say, right? Well, let’s ask the experts and see if it’s good or bad to warm up your car on a cold morning.
Is it good or bad to warm up your car on a cold morning?
Let’s just say, the reviews are mixed, but we will break it down for you:
Some experts say that it is a good idea to warm up your car
According to Consumer Reports’ Chief Mechanic, John Ibbotson, “Giving the engine a chance to run for a minute before driving on a cold day is smart but there’s no need to let it run longer beyond warming the cabin and defogging the windshield.”
Ibbotson said that a good rule of thumb is once you’re in your seat, buckled and comfortable, you should head out.
Similarly, Joseph Henmueller, president and COO of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, said when temperatures drop to freezing or below, it is necessary to let the oil heat up. But, only for a very short while.
“The oil is the lifeblood of the engine,” Henmueller said. “Fluids get thicker when it is cold, so to lubricate properly they need 60 to 120 seconds of the engine running.”
Yet, some say it’s not a good idea. Here’s why:
Other experts say it’s really not a good idea to warm up your car
“Warming up your vehicle can actually shorten the life of your engine,” said experts with Toyota Motors. “By letting your vehicle idle in the cold you are actually stripping away oil from the engine’s pistons and cylinders each time you do this.”
So, in turn, it can take miles out of your engine and potentially damage it.
In addition to engine damage, warming your car could also be harmful to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that warming up your car too long can contribute to the release of pollutants into the air at a rapid rate. In fact, in some bigger cities, it is against the law to let your car idle for too long because of this reason.
Experts at AAA also urge against warming up your car because well, it’s just not necessary anymore.
David Bennett, senior automotive manager at AAA, said that today’s cars are equipped with electronic engine controls that operate just fine, regardless of the weather.
“The engine will warm up quicker by driving the vehicle than it would idling in your driveway,” Bennett said.
So, all in all, if you’re running late for work, no worries; just let your car wake up for about a minute, then be on your way.
Have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
