On a cold, frosty morning, climbing into a toasty vehicle is wonderful. And now, with the ability to start your Toyota vehicle remotely at the push of a button, it seems like a no-brainer. But warming up the engine actually has some downsides. The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA are here to explain.
First off, letting your car engine idle in cold temperatures can put strain on the engine. Back in the day, the carburetor and various engine parts needed some time for the oil to circulate and do its thing. However, since 1980, vehicles have been manufactured with fuel management systems that allow the engine to warm up within about 30 seconds. Driving is actually the best way to warm up your engine; just be sure you don’t punch it too quickly. Rapid acceleration right out of the gate puts strain on bearings and chips away at your engine’s life.
There is one instance in which you’ll want to take a little extra time before you climb into your car on a cold morning: ensure that your defroster is blowing hot. Trying to drive peering through a frosted up or foggy windshield is not worth it for safety reasons.
Another good reason to skip the extended engine warm-up is for the environment. Idling your engine releases chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the air we breathe. In fact, idling burns more gas than just starting your vehicle and contributes to the build-up of damaging greenhouse gases (every gallon of gas burned creates 20 pounds of greenhouse gas). Actually, this is a good thing to remember at any time of year: keeping your vehicle running when you run in for a coffee or to mail a letter hurts the planet.
So, Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield reminds you that technology will get your engine running warm in no time – and you’ll enjoy a cozy ride yourself.
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