
What Are Cold Starts?
Dealing with cold starts and wondering how long you should let your car idle to warm up has been a much-debated topic in motoring circles for ages. The basic premise is that when you first start your vehicle, the engine is cold and not functioning at an optimal temperature just yet, hence the term 'cold start'. The basic premise is that when you first start your vehicle, the engine is cold and not functioning at an optimal temperature just yet, hence the term 'cold start'. When you start your car, you may notice the engine idling at a higher rpm than usual for a short while before it settles down - this is totally normal and is part of the process to get everything up to temperature and lubricated.
Car owners, especially those living in the colder parts of the US, may be wondering if they need to warm up their car before driving off, especially after starting up the car in really cold weather. And if so, how long should you let your car warm up for? Opinions have traditionally been split between those who believe that idling is bad for your car and those who feel warming up your vehicle to the correct temperature is vital to extend the lifespan of its engine. There are valid points in both of these arguments, so we'll break it down and explain the reasons why it's safe to simply drive your car after starting, some reasons why starting your car in cold weather can be difficult, and everything in between.
Read more - Cold Starts: How Long Should You Let Your Car Idle To Warm Up Before Driving?