Is it necessary to "warm up" your car before driving it?

1. 72

   nmdondersposted 11 years ago

   Is it necessary to "warm up" your car before driving it?
   
   I hear that it's best to warm up your car before driving it because it damages the engine otherwise.  Is this for both old and new cars?  Do you do this in the warm months as well?

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2. 67

   Thesourceposted 11 years ago

   If the car has been idle for a day or more, some warm would help. It will help the essential lubricating oil from the oil slump to circulate to protect the engine. About a minute in warm weather and in cold winter start-up it may take a up to four minutes.
   The older the car to longer the warm up. Do not over-rev the engine during warm-up, just moderate rpms. During warm-up it must be in park or neutral. In in manual transmission it should be neutral. Such warm-up will reduce your engine wear and it will last longer. An warm engine does not need warm-up when started again.

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   1. 72

      nmdondersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the all the info.  It sounds like you know what you're talking about

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   shkshaposted 11 years ago

   Yes normally that should be the practice.Rev the engine for 1-2 minutes.

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4. 65

   isenhower33posted 11 years ago

   This would all depend on if you are in warm weather or cold weather. In cold weather you might need to let it idle for a minute or two. But in warm weather its really your preference whether you do or not. The warm weather is going to cause the oil and everything else to already be warm so it would hurt it to start it up and drive it. But if its been sitting for a while you need to at least start it, not just for the engine but for your battery and everything thing else.

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      nmdondersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That definitely makes sense.  Thank you.

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5. 58

   Goody5posted 11 years ago

   It's important to let the car run some, so that the oil circulates through the engine good. In turn your engine will be well lubricated before you drive off, and will last longer as well. Keep on hubbing 

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6. 79

   Cobrafanposted 11 years ago

   It's not necessary to let your car warm up before driving it but driving it hard while the engine is cold isn't good on it. If you start your car up and put the pedal to the floor, you're working your engine hard while oil is still trying to lubricate all the moving parts within your engine. As a general rule, I usually let my engine get near operating temp before I stop going easy on it.

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