Do I need to warm up the engine in winter

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Are you sure you are doing everything right? Better check!

I don’t want to read. Can I get an answer right away?

In short, yes, you need to warm it up. But not for long: 3-5 minutes will be enough. During this time, you will have time to brush off the snow and clear the glass from ice, and then you can sit down and calmly go about your business.

OK. And why warm up at all, what does it give?

At low temperatures, engine oil thickens and its properties deteriorate. Because of this, the lubrication of the crankshaft, camshaft and other loaded engine components suffers. It takes a few minutes for the oil to warm up and restore its qualities, and the lubrication system works efficiently.

The engine also takes time to reach optimal temperature conditions. Immediately after starting, the piston crowns quickly heat up from the combustion of the air-fuel mixture, while the cylinder walls are still cold. To reduce the stress caused by temperature changes and prevent premature wear of the motor, you need to warm it up at least a little.

Hmm, since warming up is necessary and useful, where does the dispute come from?

All the disagreements are caused by the assurances of manufacturers that the engines of modern cars do not need warming up. This is true, but only partially. In fact, the recommendations are dictated by environmentalists, whose demands are shackling car manufacturers hand and foot.

The bottom line is that to maintain stable operation immediately after starting, the ECU increases the speed and enriches the mixture until the engine warms up. In the cold, fuel evaporates worse, so more of it is supplied to the cylinders. And this, in turn, entails an excess of the permissible concentration of toxic substances in the exhaust.

A precondition for the operation of the emission control catalytic converter is an exhaust gas temperature above 300 ° C. To avoid unnecessary emissions, manufacturers recommend driving immediately after launch. Their main goal is to bring the toxicity indicators back to normal, which can be done most quickly when warming up on the move.

Wait a minute, how fast? So, maybe warm up on the go?

Under load, the engine really warms up faster, this is a fact. But at the same time, its wear and tear also increases. Systems that have not yet reached their mode are overloaded, which inevitably decreases the resource of individual units and the motor as a whole.

The safety margin will allow the engine to leave the warranty period without problems. But in the future, he will need repairs earlier than the unit, which was operated in a more gentle mode. That is why you should not rely entirely on the advice of automakers.

So what can you do? How to warm up properly?

The best option would be a compromise solution: warm up the engine a little, let it idle, and then finally bring it to operating temperature while driving. So the oil pump will have time to pump the oil and stabilize the pressure in the lubrication system. The engine temperature will rise and it will be ready for load.

In order not to take away the heat from the engine and to accelerate the warm-up, it is better to turn on the heater not immediately after starting, but after a while.

To reduce the load on a car with a manual gearbox when starting, it is advisable not only to depress the clutch pedal, but also to hold it for a few seconds after the engine starts. Give him a couple of minutes before heading out.

Wait, how long to warm it up?

2-3 minutes will be enough. Well, a maximum of 5. According to traffic rules, more, in fact, is impossible. And it makes no sense. Signs that the engine has begun to warm up will be a decrease in speed after starting and a moving temperature sensor arrow.

Modern motors at idle speed warm up rather weakly and reluctantly. Plus, don't forget about the increased fuel consumption. And, of course, about the harm to the environment.

Is that all? Can I go?

Drive - yes, drive - no. Until the temperature arrow enters the working area, and the engine completely warms up, it is better not to load it. Drive smoothly and move calmly, avoiding sudden accelerations. Make sure that the value on the tachometer does not exceed 2,500 rpm.

Do not forget that in addition to the engine, the car has many other parts and assemblies that also need to be warmed up. The transmission, suspension, power steering, bearings - all this will work as it should, only after you have traveled several kilometers along the road.