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Most people are in the habit of warming up their vehicles in winter. Besides defrosting icy windows, many believe the engine will fare better in low temperatures and that taking off right away will lead to car repairs. Unfortunately, this is an outdated practice and below is a brief rundown of why you should not idle in cold weather.

Why You Do Not Need to Idle in Winter

The History of Warming Up

Cars before the 1980s are equipped with carburetors, a device inside the engine that mixes air with liquid fuel. Because of this, older engines require warming up since the cold air makes the air-fuel mix inaccurate. Gasoline cannot vaporize and burn off during combustion, which then leads to the car stalling when you try to get moving.

Excessive stalling over time puts stress on the starter as well as transmission components, which means car repairs and transmission maintenance are inevitable. Even worse, stalling out while you drive can lead to unsafe situations such as another vehicle hitting you from behind as your power dwindles. For older vehicles, then, warming up is critical.

car repairsNewer vehicles, however, do not contain carburetors and do not need warming up on a frigid morning. Cars made after the 1980s have an electric fuel injection system that balances the air-fuel mixture without any extra steps. As soon as you’re ready to go, start up and get moving. The engine on a new vehicle will actually warm more quickly than if you idle, making it an obsolete practice unless you have a vintage ride.

The Damage From Idling

Idling a newer vehicle with a fuel injection system will actually increase the need for car repairs. Warming up removes much-needed oil from important engine parts, creating internal friction that causes premature wear and tear on the engine. When engines sit, they are not operating at peak temperatures and combustion is incomplete. Partially combusted fuel leaves a residue on the cylinder walls that also interferes with spark plugs and exhaust systems, which also see an increase in rust due to higher levels of condensation.

Besides damage to your car, idling damages your wallet. Fuel is wasted when the car is sitting for more than 30 seconds after startup. There is a misconception that less fuel burns when the car is not in motion, but that is incorrect. In addition, the emissions that result are also unsafe for the environment as well as passengers, especially for children and those with respiratory trouble who are breathing in the fumes as the vehicle sits.

 

For car repairs and transmission services, trust Mr. Transmission. For 15 years, the Cincinnati and Sharonville locations have handled transmission maintenance for trucks and cars of domestic or foreign build. As Cincinnati’s only AAA-approved transmission shop, their professional team offers a nationwide warranty on their work. Call the transmission professionals at (513) 769-3111 for an appointment or visit their website for a full list of offerings and coupons.

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