Is warming up your car in winter a smart move?
In cold weather, brief car warm-ups can help protect the engine, improve safety, and enhance performance. The Weather Network's Victoria Fenn Alvarado explains.
When winter hits and temperatures drop, you might be tempted to let your car warm up for a while before hitting the road. But is that really necessary?
According to Nadia Matos from CAA, just 30 seconds to a minute is all you need to get your engine ready for the drive.
“The warming up process is really to ensure that your oil is properly lubricating everything and that it's heated up, so you only need about 30 seconds, to a maximum of a minute,” explains Nadia Matos, a spokesperson for CAA.
Matos recommends warming up your vehicle for only 30 seconds to one minute. (The Weather Network)
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In cold temperatures, motor oil thickens, moving slowly through your engine, almost like honey, limiting its ability to flow where it’s needed most.
“We do recommend that as you go, no hard revving… Just kind of ease into your journey, just allowing things to kind of get moving and get going,” adds Matos.
If possible, it's helpful to store your car in a properly ventilated garage, as this can reduce the temperature inside by about 10 degrees. However, remember to always open the garage door before starting the car to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.