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Should I Warm Up My Engine Before Driving?
September 18th, 2019
We’ve all heard it before, always warm up your car before driving. Is it really necessary though? The truth is, nowadays there is no need whatsoever to warm your car’s engine before driving. Since todays modern vehicles have a fuel injection system which replaced carburettors, your vehicle doesn’t require warm up before driving. The fuel injection system provides a perfectly combustible mixture at all temperatures and provide normal throttle response at all times. 
The only time when it can be considered important to warm up your car for some time before driving is during winter or icy climates in which you may need heat inside the car to clear the windshields for visibility and safety. This is the only situation when the additional use of fuel and risk of lubricant contamination are worth it. Aside from that, you can just drive away and stop wasting fuel. Of course, this doesn't mean that you should step on it as soon as you get on the road. To avoid unnecessary wear, it's best to gain speed slowly and gradually.
Here are some facts and myths about the topic.
- Myth - It’s a good practice to warm up my engine before driving.
- Fact - The best way to bring your engine up to operating temperature is to gently drive your car. By simply driving your car, the engine and its components will warm up faster which allows your car to run more efficiently.
- Myth - Idling my engine can reduce engine wear.
- Fact - Idling for long periods of time can potentially damage your engine and its components, including the cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Today’s modern cars regulates how much fuel is needed when the engine is cold or warm. When you leave your engine idle, fuel is wasted and you increase the chance of fuel residue build up which can lead to poor engine performance.
- Myth - Idling my car doesn’t harm me or my family.
- Fact - A cold engine releases more unburned hydrocarbons which means more pollutants are being released into the environment.
Engine Repair in Spring, TX
Engines are most efficient when they operate in their optimum temperature range. Running an engine when it’s cold causes increased emissions of carbon dioxide and engine wear. Remember that idling the engine doesn’t put much heat into it, the car just remains cold for a long duration.
If you really need to warm up your car, especially when it's cold or raining outside, try driving off slowly. For answers to other auto repair questions you may have, contact Milstead Collision in Spring, TX or make an appointment online today!
Tags:
auto repair, collision repair
Posted in:
Auto Repair 101