Myth or Fact: Your Car Needs to be Warmed Up on Cold Days?

It is a common belief that you need to warm up your car when it is really cold outside to avoid some sort of damage. No one is sure what sort of damage can be expected, but everyone seems to think that if you don’t warm up your car for a few minutes before you drive it, you will have problems. Besides, warming up your car before you have to drive means it will be warm on the inside too, so you won’t have to sit in the cold. However, this myth is exactly that: a myth. Failing to warm up your car before you get in it and drive away will not cause any harm to your car.

According to mechanics you do not need to idle your car “because of the efficiency of modern fuel injection.” The only reason to let a car idle is to get the oil circulating; but after 30 seconds that is done. Staring your car to warm it up before you get in does not work either; it will actually warm up more quickly if you are driving it. Below are three reasons you should not idle your car.

1. It costs money. Over a year of five minutes of daily idling estimates show that the operator of a V8 will waste 20 gallons of gas which will cost at least $60. Also, idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more money than restarting the car would.
2. It hurts your car. Idling your car for too long will actually hurt your car. An idling engine is forced to operate inefficiently degrading both its performance and mileage.
3. It is harmful to you and the environment. Five minutes of idling everyday for a year produces more than 440 pounds of carbon dioxide into the environment. Idling in your garage even with the door open can still be harmful to the driver and those in the house. An idling engine emits carbon monoxide and other noxious gases which can increase rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies.