Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Winter Ready Wednesdays: Should you warm up your vehicle?




We all have heard this advice from time to time: "You need to let your car warm up before you drive it."


But if you a driving a car that uses fuel injection, allowing your car to sit idle in your driveway on a cold day is not only unnecessary, it may actually do more harm than good to your car.


The following video explains why idling your car can lead to a damaged engine:
As the video explains, the misconception is based on fact. Prior to the late 1980s, vehicles used carburetors which really did need more time to warm up for the engine to work efficiently and safely.

Today, most mechanics suggest allowing modern engines to warm for about 30 seconds prior to driving. They also suggest that driving your car gently at first helps to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the engine.

On cold, dry days it may be a good idea to enjoy that last sip of coffee a little longer before you head out into the chilly weather.


If you are unsure about what your car needs to make it through the winter, check with your mechanic. 

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