Alright, let’s bust a myth that’s been chilling in the back of our minds for far too long. The age-old debate: to warm up the car, or not to warm up the car in the winter?
Unless You’re Driving a Model T, You Can Skip the Warm-Up
If you’re rocking a classic car from the carburetor era (which, if you are, kudos, that’s awesome), there’s no need to let your car idle for an eternity in the driveway. I know that our parents, and our parent’s parents swore by this. It’s practically driving gospel at this point. If you are guilty of this, don’t feel bad. I, too, was once a car warmer-upper.
Modern cars, the ones with those fancy fuel injection systems, are basically ready to roll as soon as you turn the key. We’re talking, like, five seconds, according to the folks at Triple-A.
Stop wasting gas by 'warming up' your car when it's cold out pic.twitter.com/tyGkSHwayT
— Business Insider (@BusinessInsider) December 31, 2017
Five seconds! You can barely even find your favorite radio station in that time (and if you need some help finding a good one, I’m here for you 😊)
But My Feet Are Cold!
Okay, okay, I get it! Nobody likes getting into a freezing cold car. If you want to let your car run for a bit to get the heater blasting and the windows defrosted, go for it. No judgment here. Just know that the only reason you’re doing it is for your own comfort, not because your car needs it.
Don’t let outdated advice leave you out in the cold. Your modern car is ready when you are. So, skip the unnecessary idling, save some gas, and get on with your day!
