Is it good or bad to warm up your car on a cold Texas day? Experts say it depends

When it is below freezing or even a little above, you might want to warm up your car for a few minutes before heading off to work or running an errand.

But with modern vehicles and all the technology that comes with them, do you really need to warm up your car? Let’s determine what experts have to say about this.

Is warming up your car for a long time really necessary?

Back in the day, drivers were encouraged to allow cars to warm up in cold conditions to allow carburetors to function properly and the oil to heat. Otherwise, there was a risk of damaging the engine over time.

According to Consumer Reports mechanic John Ibbotson, giving the engine a chance to run for a minute before driving on a cold day is smart but there’s no need to let it run longer beyond warming the cabin.

“Cars have improved in technology to the point where your engine is fully lubricated within 20 to 30 seconds, Ibbotson says. “By the time you get in, start the car, put on your seat belt, and get comfortable, the engine might not be fully warm. But it’s completely lubricated, and it’s okay to drive at this point.”

Why it might not be a good idea to warm up your car

The Environmental Protection Agency aligns with many who say warming up your car is not only not helpful but is wasteful.

Both the EPA and Energy.gov say a car should not idle for more than 30 seconds at a time. This is not only more environmentally friendly but also cost-effective. Idling for 30 seconds actually uses more fuel than restarting the car.

“Unnecessary idling of cars, trucks, and school buses pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear,” the EPA says. “Modern vehicles do not require warming up in the winter, so there is no need to turn on the engine until you are ready to drive.”

AccuWeather technical advisor Shanna Simmons explained that engines don’t need to idle for prolonged periods.

“While it does take longer for motor oil to pump in extreme cold temperatures, we are talking milliseconds, not minutes,” she said. “Your engine will warm up the oil much faster when driving at full speed — not to mention idling wastes gas.”