4 Reasons Why You Need To Let Your Car Warm Up In The Winter

12 Dec 2015

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

-ownes rotary
-waits for car to warm up every time
-cringe when people I know gun it too soon

Vtec doesn’t work when the car is cold anyway

I’ve seen a number of wrong articles claiming you don’t need to/shouldn’t let your car warm up in the winter

https://www.facebook.com/Danielleismymiddlename/posts/1256473264368430

might be me but i am pretty sure it is a lot easier to see and drive if your breath isn’t turning to frost on the inside of your windshield :)

I try to warm up for as long as feasible before risking lateness.
If I have to go as soon as I get in, I do my best to keep my tachometer below 2000 RPM until the temperature gauge is dead in the middle.
I genuinely fear running when cold. I can hear the entire drivetrain not be happy for the first ten minutes when its 50 F outside.

If your car doesn’t have a catalytic converter will it still start at a higher rpm?

Electric engine heater and cabin heater is your friend in the winter time, plug it in when you get home, set the timer and you have a warm cabin and a slightly varm engine in the morning. Takes about 30-60min for the cabin to heat up with an heater.
Reduces cold start wear signifiacantly and shortens the time needed to get engine to operating temperature.
Here in the north of Sweden everyone uses this, no one wants to hop in a car that’s been out in -30°C without an heater.