Is It Important to Warm Up Your Car?

Warming Up A Car

People tend to have set routines for the morning. However, during the winter, people tend to forget to add a few extra minutes to warm up the car. While forgetting to warm up your car is annoying, there is a reason why warming up a car should be added to your daily routine.

Importance of Warming Up Your Car

Taking extra time in the morning to start up your car can be irritating, but warming up your car is beneficial. Overnight, the cold weather can thicken engine oil which can prevent it from flowing easily till it warms up. Below-freezing temperatures can also impact transmission fluid, brake fluid, washer fluid, and other lubricants.

Allowing your car to run for about 60 to 120 seconds will allow the fluids in your car to loosen up and better serve their purpose. This short idling period allows the fluids to circulate more effectively, minimizing engine wear. For a lot of modern cars, warming up your car is not a requirement due to new engine designs. However, modern cars should idle in freezing temperatures.

Advice for Warming Up Your Car

When warming up your car, there are a few things you need to consider and prepare for. If you are warming your car, you should be around your vehicle. This reduces the risk of someone going into your car and driving away. There are also a few cities that give out tickets for leaving a running car. Also, you should not idle your car for a long time. Long idling can waste gas and reduce the amount of miles you can drive before refueling.
While your car is heating up, you should take the time to scrape off your windows and windshield. The heat from the car can help remove snow and ice by melting it.

If you need to schedule some winter maintenance or tune-up, you need to contact Mr. Muffler today! Mr. Muffler can handle all your oil changes, tune-ups, brake repairs, and other car needs!