What Happens If You Don't Warm Up Your Car?

Warming up a car before driving is a common practice that many people adhere to. The rationale behind this is that it helps the engine run smoothly and efficiently. It's usually done in colder climates, as people feel this will enable the car to function better for their drive. But why is this step important, and what are the consequences if you skip it? Let's explore this in more detail.

What Does Warming Up a Car Mean?

Subaru Dashboard by Alexander Chernov is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Warming up a car is a simple procedure that involves running the engine for a few minutes before driving. For many people, this usually means leaving the engine on and idling for more than five minutes, but the duration can vary based on the age of the vehicle and the weather. This step's primary aim is to ensure that all the vehicle components are working correctly and that all the necessary fluids, such as oil and coolant, have been adequately circulated.

Why Is Warming Up a Car Important?

Giving a car a few minutes of run time before driving is an old practice that has been used since the early days of the automobile. There are various reasons for doing this, and until now, even when there are resources that state otherwise, many people still consider it necessary. Here's a quick list of the purported benefits of warming up a car:

• Improves engine performance: Warming up the engine helps bring it to its optimal temperature and allows the necessary fluids to be circulated properly, especially for older vehicles. This improves overall performance and prevents problems, such as a car stalling out
• Reduces wear and tear on the engine: During a warm up, the engine is lubricated, and all components are given a chance to work properly. This helps reduce wear and tear and prevent damage that may result from cold starts or the components not working in tandem
• Prolongs the life of the car: Warming up a car assists it to perform at its peak, which will help it last longer, resulting in fewer repairs and parts replacements.
• Lowers fuel consumption: A car running at its optimal temperature may use less fuel because the engine won't have to work as hard. This could result in lower fuel costs than if the car was started cold and driven immediately  

What Are the Disadvantages of Warming Up a Car's Engine?

While there may be many reasons to warm up a car before driving it, there are also disadvantages. These mostly stem from the belief that as technology has improved, so have engines, and the habit of warming up a car has become unnecessary and even harmful. Here are some of the drawbacks to this practice:

• Wastes fuel: With modern vehicles with fuel injection, warming up and keeping them idling for several minutes may result in wasted fuel. This is because extra gasoline is pumped into the engine to compensate for the cold temperature, and this fuel is simply wasted as it never gets used
• Increases carbon footprint: Turning on and idling the engine results in more emissions because of the additional fuel used, which can harm the environment. A 2015 report by the Department of Energy shows that idling from personal-use vehicles generates about 30 million tons of carbon dioxide each year
• Decreases engine performance over time: The extra fuel pumped into the engine as it warms up may wash off the lubricating oil essential for its smooth functioning. This may cause the engine to wear out more quickly over time, leading to more maintenance and repair expenses for the owner

When Should You Warm Up Your Car?

With modern advancements in technology and engines becoming more efficient, the need to warm up a car before driving has become less pressing. However, there are still some instances when it's beneficial to give your vehicle some time to run before taking it out. If you have an older car with a carbureted engine, it's usually best to give it time to warm up to avoid stalling. A carburetor has no sensors to adjust fuel flow according to engine temperature, meaning if the engine is cold, the fuel mixture may not be at the correct ratio to start the car.

Another situation that warrants warming up your car is when the outside temperature is extremely cold. This gives the car's heating system a chance to kick in, which will help warm the interior and defrost the windshield and other important components. However, this usually doesn't mean letting your vehicle idle for several minutes. Instead, warming up here means driving slowly until the car reaches its optimal temperature. This will take a few minutes, but it won't waste fuel or pollute the atmosphere needlessly.

What Happens If You Don't Warm Up Your Car?

The engines of older vehicles benefit from a warm-up period because this allows the oil to circulate and lubricate the moving parts. If your car has a carbureted engine and you don't do this, problems with the motor may occur. The vehicle may stall, the engine may wear out more quickly, and the car may break down sooner than it should. This decreases the life of your vehicle and increases the cost of repairs and maintenance.

However, if you have a newer vehicle with a fuel-injected engine, skipping minutes of idling may have a less severe impact on the engine than on older cars. This is because the engine becomes fully lubricated at a much faster rate, taking less than 30 seconds. This means that by the time you finish buckling up, your car will be ready to go.

It's important to consider the type of car you have when deciding whether to warm it up before driving. Older vehicles may benefit from being given a few minutes to warm up, while newer cars may need less time. If you have any questions, our knowledgeable team at North End Subaru in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, can provide you with more information. Our service center can also help keep your vehicle in excellent condition and ensure that your car performs optimally and stays in good shape for years to come.