“: Warming Up your Car in Cold Weather: What You Need to Know
As winter temperatures plummet, drivers in colder climates face a familiar question: should you warm up your car before hitting the road? While the practice was once commonplace, modern vehicles and a better understanding of engine mechanics suggest a different approach.
The Modern Engine and Warm-Up times
Contrary to popular belief, prolonged idling to warm up your car is generally unneeded and can even be detrimental. The AAA recommends limiting warm-up time to just long enough to fasten your seatbelt – typically under 30 seconds. This brief period allows essential lubricating oil to circulate and reach vital engine components.
Experts at carfax add that excessive idling can negatively impact cylinders,spark plugs,and the emissions system,while also reducing fuel economy.Today’s vehicles, equipped with electronic fuel injection systems, automatically adjust the air-fuel mixture, eliminating the need for extended warm-up periods that were crucial for older, carbureted engines.
What if Your Car Won’t Start?
If you’re struggling to start your car in the cold, the issue is often a weak battery. Here are a few troubleshooting steps, according to JD Power:
* Warm the battery: Briefly flash your high beams for 20-30 seconds to increase the chances of a start.
* Engage the ignition: Allow the fuel pump time to activate in fuel-injected vehicles.
* Manual Transmission: Depress the clutch pedal to disengage a potentially frozen transmission.
* Attempt to start: Turn the key for no more than 10-15 seconds, repeating after a minute if needed.
* Depress the gas: If the car doesn’t start after a few tries, try pressing the gas pedal while starting.
* No starter activity: A dead battery or a faulty starter are the likely culprits.
Legality of Warming Up Your Car
Beyond mechanical considerations, it’s vital to be aware of the legal implications of leaving a car running unattended. In Illinois, and manny other states, it is illegal to leave a vehicle running without a driver present. The state’s vehicle code requires drivers to stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key, and secure the brake before leaving the vehicle.
However, using a remote starter system is an exception to this rule, as the vehicle is not considered unattended. Despite this, police departments often issue warnings about the risk of vehicle theft when using remote starters, particularly during cold weather months.
Worth a look