Every year, millions of people take their cars into the winter months with the hope that the cold will help them save on fuel. However, this isn’t always a good idea. In this article, we’ll discuss why you should never warm up your car before hitting the road in the winter.
The dangers of warming up your car
Warm up your car? You should probably think twice before doing this. Not only is it dangerous, but it could also cost you money. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t warm up your car:
1. It’s Dangerous To Drive With The Heat On
When the car is cold, the engine runs smoother and requires less fuel. However, when the car warms up, the oil begins to heat up and can start smoking. This can cause serious problems with the engine, including knocking and even a fire. By driving with the heat on, you’re putting yourself and other drivers at risk.
2. It Can Cause Coolant Leakage
If you have a coolant leak, warming up your car will only make it worse. Hot fluid will seep into the coolant system and cause major damage. In fact, if you’ve had a coolant leak in the past, warming up your car may be the cause! Don’t risk it – don’t warm up your car!
3. It Can Cost You Money
Not only is it dangerous to drive with the heat on, it’s also expensive. Warmed-up oil can cost you between $20.
The benefits of not warming up your car
If you’re like most people, you probably think that warming up your car is a necessary step before you start driving. After all, isn’t it better to start out on the right foot by avoiding dangerous ice and snow conditions?
Well, there are a lot of good reasons to skip the warming up process. For one thing, it wastes energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every time you warm up your car, you’re using around 20 gallons of gas. That’s enough to drive around town for about two miles. In addition, warming up your car actually makes it less safe to drive in icy or snowy conditions. By the time your car reaches operating temperature, its tires and suspension have already been through their coldest cycle several times. This puts you and other drivers at risk of getting into accidents. Bottom line: don’t waste your time warming up your car – just drive safely!
How to avoid warming up your car
Warming up your car can actually be counterproductive. By doing this, you’re essentially putting more heat into the engine, which can increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, by warming up your car, you’re also increasing the chances of getting a ticket for driving without a warm engine.
Conclusion
If you’re like most people, you probably warm up your car before you head out to work or school. But is it really necessary? According to the National Weather Service, “warmer air has more water vapor in it and that means there’s a higher potential for freezing rain and severe thunderstorms.” In other words, warming up your car just makes things worse by increasing the chance of dangerous weather. If you can’t avoid getting caught in bad weather, at least make sure you drive safely while it’s snowing or raining.