Is it necessary to "warm the car" when starting the engine in cold weather? The answer may be different from what you think

As most of the country is enveloped in cold temperatures, automotive experts are stepping forward to debunk a long-standing winter driving myth: "You must warm up your car before driving."

According to a report from USA Today, the American Automobile Association (AAA) pointed out that after starting the engine, you only need to let the engine idle for a few seconds while fastening the seat belt. This time is enough for the lubricating oil to flow into all key parts of the engine.

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In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds that long-term idling will not only cause additional wear and tear on the engine, but also increase air pollution and fuel waste. According to AAA, driving in a normal manner and avoiding sudden acceleration is more effective in raising engine temperatures than letting your car idle for a few minutes.

However, experts also warn that old cars and electric vehicles still need to pay special attention before taking to the road in cold weather.

Where does the habit of “warming the car” come from?

According to Carfax, the habit of "warming your car" can be traced back decades ago, when cars were more likely to break down or stall at low temperatures.

Until the 1980s, most cars still used carburetors to adjust the air-fuel ratio. In winter, in order for the carburetor to reach the appropriate air-fuel ratio, it does take a few minutes to warm up, otherwise the car will easily shake or stall.

However, modern cars have already fully adopted electronic fuel injection systems (electronic fuel injection), which can accurately control the air-fuel ratio in real time. This means that even in low-temperature environments, the vehicle can be on the road within seconds of starting.

Carfax stated, "Unfortunately, some habits are hard to break, and misinformation is still widely circulated. If you used to drive an old car, this 'warm-up' habit may have been passed down from generation to generation."

The special case of electric vehicles

Although most fuel vehicles do not need to be warmed up, and even though many people still like to sit in a warm car, electric vehicles do require an extra step of preparation before setting off in the cold winter.

Car and Driver magazine states that batteries perform best at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). When the temperature drops, battery performance will be significantly weakened, and some car owners even find that the cruising range drops by 10% to 20% when the temperature is below freezing.

Experts recommend that electric car owners use the accompanying mobile app to perform "preconditioning" (preconditioning) to preheat the battery and cabin while still connected to the charging cable to ensure that the optimal operating temperature is reached when setting off.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) added, "If the vehicle does not have a preconditioning function, warming up for a few minutes before driving can also help improve battery performance. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles do not emit harmful emissions when running in a garage or on the roadside."