4 Reasons Why You Need To Let Your Car Warm Up In The Winter
Yes, we all know cars need to be warmed up before you abuse them, but why is that really? I wanted to try out this ‘advanced post editor’ so I decided to pretend I’m Engineering Explained this morning.
Alright, let’s roll.
1. Get the juices flowing
You probably all knew this one already. After your car has been standing for a while, your engine oil will settle in the bottom of the oil pan. It takes around 10 to 30 seconds to get it properly circulating again. If it’s cold, your oil will be more viscous (thick) to begin with so it might take a bit more time than that. Oil plays a crucial role in reducing metal-to-metal rubbing in your engine, so you want to make sure it’s all lubed up.
Most manufacturers recommend driving off after about 30 seconds (in a chilled out manner). This way you will hit operating temperature quicker and reduce the amount of time your engine has to spend in miserable conditions. No need to idle for 10 minutes!
2. Thermal expansion
Solids - like metal - expand as they get warmer. Engineers have to take this into consideration when designing an engine, and be clever with spacings and clearances to allow room for size changes.
E.g.: Your piston and cylinder may have different thermal expansion coefficients, meaning they’ll react differently to changes in temperature. When your engine is not at operating temperature, some bits and pieces in it are essentially the “wrong” size, causing added friction, wear and tear. Not a good time to hit VTEC.
3. The sound of cold starts
When you start your car up, the engine will deliberately run at a slightly higher RPM to warm up the catalytic converter so it becomes effective and reduces emissions ASAP. The process has a distinct sound and provides a good time to get out of the car and listen to the beautiful sound of your exhaust.
4. Your tires
Your engine is not the only thing you need to warm up before you set off on a b-road blast. Cold, hard tires have noticeably less grip so make sure you take that into consideration before you understeer into your local bus stop.
Especially in this cold weather, please wait till your car warms up and don’t drive like a lunatic straight out of the driveway. It will be really grateful for it.
Comments
One reason why I don’t need to warm it up during winter : South Florida ^^
I grind my gears if I try to drive in -15 without warming it up… OH! And my turbo is about 100 dB (very freaking loud!) and screams “eeeeeeessssssseessseeeeeeee!” for literally minutes.
It’s impossible to try to drive my car too soon, you’ll undoubtedly destroy turbo, power steering and gearbox if you try to drive it from cold in -40°C
Let’s not forget the part where the turbo (if equipped), needs time to bring the oil pressure to a normal efficiency. But more important, and certainly crucial, is to take in consideration that your turbo runs 3-4 times as hot as your engine. So blasting your way out of your driveway with a cold turbo will end up with you, in tears, and broke. Also, when you get back home, don’t immediately turn off your turbocharged engine. Allow some time (10-30 seconds) for the snail to cool down a bit. Unless you have a turbo timer, this is where most of us make a mistake when running forced induction.
First time I see a ford capri in CT. Isnt this car well known in other countries or do you just not care about its epicness? Especially the 3rd generation looks incredible. I have also never seen a Opel Kadett C coupe here… maybe known as a Vauxhall if you arent in germany
Also transmission and diff should be ran gently before hooning get everything flowing helps eliminate slop in gear box that could cause a shatter
Not to mention my leather seats and ally gear knob. Theres a lot of clenching in my car 1st thing in the morning.
O my god , this thing with the tires, explains why i slided my clio like a skyline in a movie scene, was about to crash tho, cuz i didnt expect it
That car from point 3 is the same as mine
Block heater
I never rev my AE86 until it is fully warmed up, no matter the weather. Especially with old cars, revving the engine before it is fully warmed up can lead to disaster.