Is Warming Up Your Car Really Necessary?

Is it necessary to warm up your car? Conventional wisdom says warming up your car is a must, especially on frigid days. Unfortunately for many American cars, this is one instance when conventional wisdom is just plain wrong.

Unless you live in a region that reaches sub-zero temperatures at night, there are very few reasons to waste gas by letting your car idle for five or ten minutes each morning. In fact, you could be doing more harm than good.

So when is warming up your car necessary? What are the pros and cons? We answer these questions and more below. 

No matter where you live or what kind of car you drive, don't forget about car insurance. Car insurance is your last line of defense between you and financial ruin if you cause a car accident. Get the coverage you need with help from an independent insurance agent. 

Why May You Need to Warm Up Your Engine?

When most vehicles used a carburetor, a mechanism that blends air and fuel in an engine to the proper levels, they usually needed to be warmed up to work well. Warming up the engine allowed the carburetor to get the right mix of air and fuel in the engine and prevent stalls. 

However, during the 1980s and 1990s, American car manufacturers began switching to fuel-injected engines. Without a carburetor, these engines can get up and go immediately, without any warm-up. 

So, for most modern cars, warming up the engine isn't necessary, even in very cold weather. 

When Is Warming Up Your Car a Good Idea? 

There are some benefits to warming up your car when it's cold. First, it's just nice to get into a warm car. 

Next, warming up your car allows your engine to lubricate itself. While your car is idle, oil drains to the bottom of the oil pan. When you start the engine, oil moves through the motor and lubricates all the engine components. 

Letting your car sit idle for a little while speeds up the lubrication process and helps prolong the life of your engine. Keep in mind, however, that modern vehicles take only 20-30 seconds to lubricate, so long warm-ups are rarely necessary. 

When it's cold, warming up the car also provides time for the windshield to defrost. Driving with a frosted-over windshield can be dangerous. 

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Three Reasons Not to Warm Up Your Car

While it may help you stay warm on the coldest days of the year, warming up most cars is unnecessary. Here are three negative aspects of letting your car idle before you head out. 

• Excessive fuel consumption: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you'll consume anywhere from one-quarter to one-half a gallon of fuel every hour your car idles. Letting your car idle for even 10 minutes a day will greatly increase your fuel consumption and costs. 
• Pollution: Excessive idling produces emissions that can have a negative impact on the environment. 
• Engine wear: Excessive idling can also cause your engine's cylinders, spark plugs, and emissions systems to wear out faster than they would otherwise.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help You Get Insurance For a Car of Any Age? 

To warm up or not to warm up? That's a great question for your mechanic and depends a lot on the age of your car. If you're still driving around in a car with a carburetor, keep up with the warm-ups. Otherwise, unless you're trying to have a less frigid ride to work, warming up your car can be a thing of the past. 

Just remember that you should have car insurance no matter what you drive. Car insurance protects you if you cause an accident, and it can help pay for damage to your own car if you have certain coverage. A local independent insurance agent can help you get the coverage you need.