Does the car need to be warmed up before leaving?

Cold days fell hard in the central area. The battle between “summer fans” and “winter fans” continues with full force on social networks and several motorists have asked us questions because of the low temperatures which can complicate the condition and operation of vehicles. .

A recurring question, which has its roots in older models, is that related to warming up the car before starting to move. Surely many have seen or heard of this situation, when the engine was started and left to idle for a few minutes to warm up, then move smoothly and smoothly. The motor would also die sometimes.

It turns out that, with cars built up to the 90s, an element present in the mechanics was the carburetor.

This product was responsible for mixing gasoline and air in the quantities necessary to bring this mixture to the cylinders and thus allow the engine to work properly.

So, to answer the question of this note, if it’s necessary, it’s true, it’s that heating the vehicle will depend on the type of car, we spoke with some experts, who gave us their vision at this subject.

Bernardo Castillo Foix, a professor at the Duoc UC School of Engineering and Natural Resources at the Maipú campus, pointed out that “to set the context, it must be said that the optimum operating temperature for a combustion engine is around 90° C and that heating the car in the morning is an old practice which made it possible to reach this temperature at idle.

What is recommended now in most cases is to start, wait a few seconds and start moving the vehicle without putting too much stress around 2000 rpm, a little less if it is of diesel or a little more if it is gasoline, with This will not only reach that the engine reaches its operating temperature faster, but also other components such as the gearbox, the differential, tires, among others.

In the same village, Cristián Cifuentes, director of the INACAP mechanical quarry at the Puente Alto headquarters, said that “modern vehicles require a short warm-up time before moving them, when you turn it on they have programmed acceleration, then it automatically drops to the normal operating RPM, that is, the moment to set it in motion, always saving a moderate speed, it must be taken into account that the engines work with lubricants that allow to avoid wear element failures, when given a short warm-up time, we ensure that the lubricant reaches a little temperature and, in turn, lubricates the internal elements of the engine”.

So you already know. If someone tells you that you have to leave the car to have the right temperature on these cold days, you can tell him that today it is not necessary and you can leave immediately, driving slowly and gradually.

By the way, with slower driving, not only will the engine warm up well, but the tires will also warm up, which will translate into better grip on cold pavement, protecting the driver and people nearby.