For many of us, winter brings frigid, below-freezing temperatures. It’s nice to sit inside a warm car, but doing so may require 20 to 30 minutes of idling, depending on how cold it is, and how quickly your particular car warms up.
Most, if not all car manufacturers, recommend 30 seconds of idling time. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and DOE (Department of Energy) naturally agree with this, because it’s less pollution and less gasoline used. If you don’t have a garage to put your car in or covered parking at your workplace, you may have frozen windows and/or snow to deal with. People in this situation are most likely going to start their car and then scrape the windshield and windows. It's not possible to do this in 30 seconds, but a few minutes of idling isn’t going to be detrimental. Some studies show that extended idling time can cause premature engine wear because the fuel mixture is richer when it’s cold and could wash the engine oil off of the cylinder walls and piston rings. A car warms up faster while driving. The rich fuel mixture will diminish quicker than idling, thus saving wear on your engine.
The most important thing to remember is to accelerate slowly when your engine is cold, this is always true, even in the summer. If your car has a temperature gauge, when the needle is between Hot and Cold (most cars indicate this with a C or H), the engine is warmed to normal operating temperature. Many cars have a thermometer symbol that will be illuminated in blue when the engine is cold and when the light goes out, your engine is warm.
Take care of your car and it will take care of you. Happy motoring this coming winter and stay warm.
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