If you’re one of the unlucky Canadians without a heated garage, your morning routine is probably a little like mine. About five minutes before I head out for the day I grab my remote starter and make sure my car is nice and warm.
Or if you don’t have that particular piece of technology, I bet you race out, start the engine, and then run back inside as fast as possible. Nobody wants to be sitting outside while the car warms up.
Unfortunately, it turns out we’ve been doing it all wrong.
According to many studies, even a cold engine sitting in minus 30 degree weather really only needs about 30 seconds to warm up. Any longer is just a waste.
In fact, cars that idle over long periods of time can experience engine wear we’d normally associate with vehicles that have been driven much further. That’s because idling engines have to use a very rich gasoline mixture versus the output they provide.
In short, idling burns comparatively more gas versus driving, which can cause gunk to build much faster over time.
Many people start their car early so the heat can naturally defrost their windows. That’s nice, but ultimately it’s just lazy. The better solution is to start the vehicle, get out and scrape the windows, and then drive off. That’s much closer to the ideal idling time.
And besides, idling cars aren’t good for the environment. A small change made by many folks in a cold climate could really end up having a measurable impact.
