Drivers living in harsh winter climates understand the difficulty of starting a vehicle in cold weather. I'm from Wisconsin where it's snowy and cold. Also, for cars parked outside the garage, starting in sub-zero temperatures can be difficult. I don't know. According to The Washington Post, you shouldn't do that.
According to The Washington Post, you don't need to warm up your car before driving in the winter, which wastes fuel
Driver scrapes snow off car | Photo Driver scrapes snow off car (STR/NurPhoto by Getty Images)
The topic of warming up a car before driving in winter often elicits an enthusiastic response from readers. . It is said that it is best to drive the car after idling for a few minutes in winter. And with many modern cars now equipped with a remote engine start feature, it's easier than ever to start your car in the comfort of your own home.
However, according to The Washington Post, you don't need to warm up your car before driving in the winter. Moreover, it is harmful. The Washington Post discusses the many negative effects of long idling. However, it mainly focuses on how it wastes fuel unnecessarily and pollutes the air (for petrol cars).
The Washington Post quotes the Department of Energy to highlight poor fuel economy from idling. It said: please think about it. At idle it has 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it. Winter days idling is less than 30 seconds. Anything more than that simply wastes fuel and increases emissions. "
The driving force behind the Washington Post article is how warming a car in cold weather is an "energy myth." Many drivers mistakenly believe that idling their car helps improve fuel efficiency. The concept is usually likened to lower gas mileage in cold weather. However, idling the vehicle worsens overall fuel economy. In addition, it pollutes the air and increases the carbon footprint of gasoline vehicles.
The Washington Post also cited a statement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Additionally, warming the car before driving in winter damages the vehicle. This is claimed not only by the Washington Post, but also by the EPA, automakers, and most auto experts.
According to the EPA, idling for too long will damage your car's engine components and cause excessive wear. This includes damage and wear to spark plugs, cylinders and exhaust systems. EPA said in a statement: Today's car manufacturers recommend starting the car immediately, urging the driver to wait no more than 30 seconds before starting to drive, even on the coldest days. "
The general consensus is that warming your car in cold weather for a short time is fine, but doing it for a long time is detrimental. In the cold season, liquids such as engine oil become thick and muddy. However, in modern cars, it takes 30 seconds for engine oil and other fluids to become viscous enough to allow the car to run effectively. As for warming up the cabin, it warms up quickly once you start driving.
How about heating your car to defrost the ice on your windshield?
Parked Cars in Snow Weather | Stock Photo Parked Cars in Snow Weather Joy Real via Unsplash
Some drivers claim they heat their cars to defrost ice from their windshields. However, the negative effects of leaving your car idle for long periods of time far outweigh the convenience of not having to go outside in the cold for a few minutes to scrape off the ice. Again, I come from cold, snowy Wisconsin, so I sympathize with this concern.
However, unless it's a very cold wind or a heavy snowstorm (you'd better avoid driving anyway), getting out and scraping the ice is only a short-term discomfort. Plus, fresh air from the sun and vitamin D are good for your health in the long run.
Many will continue to stick to the idea of warming their cars before driving in the winter. Idling in cold weather is unnecessary and harmful if done for long periods of time. It wastes fuel, pollutes the air, and damages your car.
