ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — As temperatures plunge across the Midwest, many drivers still cling to the old habit of letting their cars idle for several minutes before hitting the road. The reasoning seems sound: a warm engine and a cozy cabin make for a better commute. But is it necessary or even good for your car?
The practice of warming up your car dates back to the era of carburetors, which dominated vehicles until the 1980s. Carbureted engines needed extra time to stabilize the air-fuel mixture in cold weather, preventing stalling and sputtering. Today’s vehicles, however, use electronic fuel injection systems that automatically adjust for temperature, making long warm-ups largely obsolete.
Modern engines are designed to circulate oil quickly and reach operating conditions without prolonged idling. AAA recommends starting your car and letting it idle only for the time it takes to fasten your seat belt—about 30 seconds. This brief period allows oil to lubricate critical components. After that, driving gently warms the engine faster and more efficiently than idling…