Winter is finally here in Plattsburgh, NY; Burlington, St. Albans, VT; Lake Placid, and Malone, NY! If you’re like us, you probably hate stepping outside in the cold to warm up and clean off your vehicle. Here are some common questions we get about the right and wrong way of doing so.
Should I start my car and let it warm up before I leave?
While it may be convenient for those who have automatic car starters, we recommend not letting your engine idle for more than a few minutes. Experts say this can harm the engine. Your engine requires gasoline and air to run, but when it’s cold outside, your car will begin to add more gas than air to the engine to keep everything running properly. The extra gas will “wash away” some of the oil, which is imperative for keeping your engine running smoothly. For those who don’t want to put down their automatic car starters – we hear you! The best thing you can do is start your car, gather your stuff, and head out the door.
How do I warm up my car if I can’t leave it running?
Contrary to popular belief, the best way to warm up a vehicle is to simply get in it and start driving. But take it slow, and take your time to avoid putting stress on the engine. It needs between five and 15 minutes to truly warm up (depending on conditions).
If you want to make sure your heat and defrosters are working properly before our first big winter storm hits, schedule an appointment at the DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh Service Department!
Dee, Sarah. “Warm up Your Car Correctly on Cold Mornings.” Autoblog. Autoblog Open Road, 28 Oct. 2016. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Orwig, Jessica. “Stop Hurting Your Engine by Idling the Car When It’s Cold out.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 21 Jan. 2016. Web. 07 Dec. 2016.
Connect with us
