Warming up a cold engine: An alternative opinion. How to properly warm up the engine during the cold season? No need to warm up the engine in winter

29.12.2021

The question of whether or not it is necessary to warm up a car engine in winter is truly Hamlet's in Russia. The majority of Russian motorists living in harsh winters are sure that warming up the engine of the "iron horse" is a matter of paramount importance, and there is nothing to argue about. But most modern car manufacturers, advocating a clean environment, argue that warming up the engine of a car before driving is harmful, since a significant amount of harmful substances gets into the air during the time spent on this operation. In the European Union, the transition to the new Euro-6 standards is now underway (some countries are blocking the adoption of these standards, claiming that they are not yet ready to control emissions so tightly), automakers are being put in a tough environmental framework. Therefore, the only way out for them is the development of high-tech, environmentally friendly engines, which would not need preliminary heating in the most severe frosts. But the European Union is not Russia, especially when it comes to weather conditions, and therefore warming up the engine in winter is an extremely necessary measure.

Those who advocate refusal to warm up the engine have three arguments: it harms the environment, badly affects engine components and increases fuel consumption. Let's take a closer look at these arguments. As for the ecology - there is no dispute, the engine running at idle speed really releases exhaust gases into the environment. And if you consider that, for example, in the Far North, the engines of trucks and special vehicles are not turned off for days at all, then the damage to the environment is truly colossal. But these are exceptional cases, while most motorists spend up to 10-15 minutes at most to warm up the engine. And the degree of environmental pollution here is not so critical, although if tens of thousands of engines warm up at the same time in such a metropolis as Moscow in the mornings, then there really is no question of any benefit to the environment. And the Russians are still lucky that the country does not have such stringent environmental standards as in the same EU.

Regarding fuel consumption, this argument is also largely valid: depending on the engine size and its operating time during warming up, fuel consumption increases by an average of 3-7 percent. The numbers seem to be uncritical, but if you consider that you have to warm up the engine at least twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, when you return from work, that is a reason to think. And, finally, the third argument “against” is increased engine wear. It is also true to some extent, because prolonged idling of the engine leads to the fact that the excessively oxygen-enriched fuel-air mixture does not have time to completely burn in the combustion chamber, which is why carbon deposits form on its walls. If such an action occurs often, then the carbon deposits accumulated on the walls of the combustion chamber can provoke engine breakdown, which will result in expensive repairs. Also, a gasoline engine can suffer from prolonged heating (carbon deposits also form on them) and diesel nozzles, which simply coke over time. This also threatens the failure of these parts of the engine fuel system.

It would seem that part of the arguments against warming up should convince those who believe that it is still necessary to warm up the engine in severe frosts. Indeed, the prospect of engine repair will upset the ordinary Russian motorist much more than environmental pollution. But warming up the engine before driving has its own arguments in favor. And they are quite weighty. The fact is that the work of an unheated engine under workloads in the winter is fraught with several unpleasant things. Firstly, when a car enthusiast starts the engine in frost and immediately drives, and even gives in gas, the engine experiences oil starvation. It is no secret that even the most advanced synthetic oils change their viscosity under the influence of low temperatures, becoming thicker. What can we say about semi-synthetic and mineral oils, which are used by a considerable number of cars in Russia. The result of insufficient feed is increased friction of engine parts against each other, which over time leads to failure of such components as cylinders, pistons, camshaft and crankshaft slide bearings, as well as turbine parts. Can you imagine how much the repair could result in? That is why many car owners neglect the environment, taking care of the safety of their car engines, and warm them up.

However, there is an optimal tool that should reconcile the opponents and defenders of the idea of warming up the power unit. You can get by with minimal losses for the environment, wallet and engine, if you warm it up for no more than 4-5 minutes, and then move, keeping the rpm no higher than 2000 until the engine temperature settles at around 90 degrees. In addition, the so-called ones are now generally available, which work autonomously and allow you to warm up not only the engine, but also set a comfortable temperature in the car.

Literally screaming for people to stop warming up their frozen engines every time the car is idle. It seems to us that the information is worth attention as a topic for discussion. Therefore, we present it for our readers.

The harsh winter conditions are challenging for your car, but you can make them even more challenging if you spend some time warming up the engine each morning when starting your car before driving. If so, then you, another of the many drivers who think it is important to warm up the car's engine at idle speed, and this is important in order to protect the engine during the cold season. that will do more harm than good!

This is how this article-advice begins categorically. Go ahead. Approx. the author.

We spoke with mechanical engineer and former drag racing driver, Stephen Chiati, about this pervasive myth that you need to warm up your car in winter.

For the past 26 years, Chiati has worked - mostly in gasoline engines - and currently oversees all work on internal combustion engines at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois.

Going straight to the point, Chiati explained that when idling in the cold, the car not only consumes more fuel, but also during this flushing occurs, cleansing of oil, critical components by which the engine actually works, namely from the cylinders and pistons.

At this point of reading, it became clear that this theory is something new, and it is worth listening to it. So I continued reading and found out interesting points.

Theory. Why it is not advisable to warm up the engine in winter

Under normal conditions, it runs on a mixture of air and fuel vapors, gasoline in our case. When the mixture enters the cylinder, the piston compresses it, at a certain moment, a spark jumps, which ultimately leads to the combustion of fuel, setting the engine in motion.

But when it's cold outside, it will evaporate worse. The car itself initially compensates for this by adding more gasoline to the air mixture - which as any experienced motorist knows is called a "rich fuel mixture", and this is where the problems begin.

"This is a problem because you are actually adding extra fuel to the combustion chamber to burn it, and some of it gets on the cylinder walls, more than is necessary," explained mechanical engineer Stephen Chiati. "Gasoline is an excellent solvent and will easily wash off a thin film of oil from the cylinder wall if left idling in cold conditions for extended periods of time."

Over time, the cleaning properties of fuels can "have a detrimental effect on lubricants and the life cycle of things like piston rings and cylinder liners," which are critical to the performance of the cylinder-piston group, to the proper operation of the engine.

Outcome: Contrary to popular belief, warming up your engine and idling in cold weather will shorten the life of your engine.

As can be seen from a short theoretical excursion, gasoline, when certain conditions are created, is a serious enemy of some engine elements. In fact, there is a grain of reason in this. In theory, everything is correct. But what practical advice would an American mechanical engineer give?

Simple solution for engine protection

Fortunately, your car is not running on a rich mixture throughout the winter. This only happens when the engine is cold. As soon as your engine warms up to +4 degrees Celsius, the car returns to its normal fuel consumption rate.

Are you probably confident that you are effectively and safely warming up the engine at idle speed? , the engine is still cold.

"Idling will take too long to warm up the engine to operating temperature, and until that happens, the engine's brain will continue to send a rich mixture of fuel into the cylinders to ensure that there is enough fuel in the cylinders for proper vaporization and fuel combustion."

The quickest way to warm up an engine is to use it for its intended purpose, in other words, drive it!

Many will object, but how can you immediately drive in a cold car ?! In subzero temperatures, all lubricants, oils and technical fluids (transmission oil or fluid in the hydraulic booster, for example) are very cooled, therefore they cannot perform their working functions or protection functions at 100%.

As an example, the article describes the operation of the hydraulic booster on an unheated car. They say that the liquid in it is cold, which means it is thick, which means that the hydraulic booster will not work correctly and may even fail. Is not it? To which Stephen replies, everything will be fine and here's why ...

You will warm up the oil faster when it starts to "work" and overflow in the system, if the car starts to drive slowly a short time after starting the engine. Stephen replied that it is enough to warm up for 30 seconds or 1 minute, and you can hit the road.

Unfortunately, no temperature limits were provided. After all, going to -25 is not the same as starting at -5. But most likely the temperatures do not drop below -10, -15 degrees, so the authors of the article did not have any questions about this.

Yes, you will feel that the car will behave a little differently, it will be all too smooth in its operation, "rubber". But the same feeling will arise with the usual long warm-up of the car in the cold.

Again, it is logical that a car does not only consist of an engine, it also contains a lot of useful and important parts. All rubbing or rotating surfaces are lubricated, which, like the oil in the engine, thickens and, in a cold state, temporarily loses some of its protective capabilities. These parts also have to get the job done to disperse the lubricant. It can only be done in motion.

Thus, the beginning of the movement in advance (MAIN IMPORTANT AND ACCURATE MOVEMENT) will be able to warm up the engine and accelerate the oil in the gearbox, grease in the CV joints, hubs and other parts of the car.

Stephen Chiati's conclusion: the time for warming up the engine should be given exactly as much as you need to clean the windows of your car from snow and ice.

Don't drive the horses!

This point in the American article is highlighted. As we said, a little higher, the load should NOT be given on an unheated car.

Be careful with the operation of the gas pedal immediately after leaving. Your engine will take a certain amount of time to warm up to operating temperature. It usually takes 5 to 15 minutes while driving a car to reach the working range. If you immediately press the gas pedal to the floor, nothing good will happen to the engine, it will experience serious loads, which, if systematic occurrences, can lead to premature breakdowns.

Plus, a warm engine will increase fuel consumption and overall your car will run at least 12% less efficiently.

Therefore, do not try to rush a cold car. You will get nothing but increased fuel consumption and wear.

We remind ourselves once again, in warming up NEED ALL CAR ELEMENTS, so even if, as usual, you warm up the engine at idle speed, almost to the ideal operating temperature, the speed of your movement for the first few kilometers on the road should ideally not exceed 40 km / h - 50 km / h. It is especially important to keep an eye on the gear changes to avoid damage to the gearbox.

The roots of the myth about "compulsory warm-up of the engine in cold weather"

Some myths are tenacious, the obligation that the car needs to be worked out in cold weather is no exception. The myth originated in the days when car engines were powered by carburetor systems.

Until 1980, carburettors were the primary fuel supply system for the engine. A little later, more sophisticated electronic fuel injection systems began to develop.

The key difference between power systems is that electronic fuel injection has a sensor that constantly supplies the correct air / fuel mixture to the cylinders. The carburetor machines did not have this important gauge.

The issue of engine warming up with the onset of cold weather is one of the most discussed topics. If the situation with the old ones is clear (it is imperative to warm up such a unit before a trip, otherwise the engine will work unstably until a certain warm-up, failures occur, the engine stalls), then everything is not so simple. There are a large number of supporters and opponents of warming up a modern injection engine before driving. The fact is that injection engines have become much more technologically advanced units, equipped with complex ones, the materials for the manufacture of the parts of the power unit themselves have changed, engine oils have been improved, etc.

An engine with an injector after a cold start works quite normally, that is, in fact, you can start moving immediately. At the same time, many drivers are still of the opinion that such an engine must be pre-warmed up, especially in winter. Others, on the other hand, argue that a modern engine does not need to be warmed up. In this article we will talk about whether it is necessary to warm up the injection engine, to what temperature the engine should be warmed up in winter, as well as how the temperature of the internal combustion engine can be raised before starting, and how to make it easier to start the engine in winter.

Read in this article

Warming up the engine in winter on a modern car

To begin with, the technical manual for the vast majority of modern cars specifically states that the engine does not need to be warmed up before driving. Manufacturers pay attention to the fact that engine oil and other technical fluids are evenly heated in motion at low speeds. In other words, production technologies and high-quality technical fluids allow you to start driving in a gentle mode without much damage to the engine's service life.

Note that the main purpose of such statements is the desire of manufacturers to convince car owners that the engine does not need to be heated. This was done primarily for the sake of the environment, and not for the sake of increasing the service life of the power unit. It is a well-known fact that any engine warms up faster in motion, and as the temperature rises, the catalytic converter begins to work. It is quite obvious that warming up at idle takes longer, and fuel consumption when the engine warms up in winter is increased. For these reasons, it is suggested to warm up the unit on the move in order to reduce the toxicity of the exhaust gases as soon as possible.

We add that in many European countries at the legislative level there are separate norms that prohibit warming up or prolonged idling of the engine in a residential area, etc. In other words, do not warm up the engine in winter or let the engine idle in summer, otherwise the driver may be fined. Taking into account the fact that on the territory of the CIS a car for a large number of people continues to be an object of great material value and environmental standards are not so strict, increased attention, first of all, is paid to the serviceability of the power unit. It should also be added that the mild climate of Europe with its moderate temperatures cannot be compared with the harsh operating conditions of internal combustion engines in severe frosts, which are relevant for our winters.

Proponents of refusing to warm up argue that the car manufacturer would never have indicated in the manual that you can drive right away, warming up the engine on the go. The main argument is concern for the brand's reputation, as well as warranty obligations to the consumer. One can agree with this, but only partially. The generally accepted practice today is a guarantee for a new car, which is, on average, 100-150 thousand km. mileage. Note that this indicator nurtures almost any modern engine without serious damage. In other words, the safety margin assumes such operation without heating, taking into account the observance of a number of additional conditions. At the same time, not every driver in the CIS changes his car for a new one at the end of the warranty period, and is also not ready to do it after 100-150 thousand kilometers traveled. Considering all of the above, it becomes clear that neither technology nor the most modern oils can seriously affect the laws of physics and the peculiarities of the operation of an internal combustion engine. If you intend to maximize the life of the power unit, then the engine should be warmed up.

How and how much you need to warm up the engine in winter

So, we decided on the need for warming up. The fact is that many mistakenly take the overall engine temperature for the coolant temperature (it is this indicator that displays the temperature gauge on the instrument panel of civil cars). At the same time, one should not forget that for an internal combustion engine in winter, a much more important indicator is the temperature of the engine oil. The degree of heating of the oil depends on its fluidity, pumpability and the effectiveness of the formation of a protective film on the parts.

Since it is well known that in a cold engine, the gaps are increased (parts decrease when cooled, and expand when heated) and the oil thickens, then it becomes clear that even minimal loads on the internal combustion engine can lead to defects. In other words, the pressure in the lubrication system may not be enough, the oil film breaks through, dry friction occurs, scuffing and other damage to the surfaces of loaded elements appear.

It is also important to know that the coolant temperature and engine oil temperature are very different. The heating of the coolant to 90 degrees Celsius is accompanied by the fact that the oil warms up to only 40-55 degrees. For this reason, starting the engine in winter in cold weather means that the lubricant will take much longer to warm up compared to the coolant. You can also add that the consumption of gasoline when the engine is warming up in winter in motion will be increased at the initial stage compared to the consumption of fuel when warming up at idle.

Considering the above features, it becomes clear that it is optimal to warm up the car for 5 to 15 minutes at idle speed (depending on the outside temperature and certain conditions). For example, on many cars it will not be possible to remove frozen ice and snow from the windshield until warm air comes out of the deflectors, and it is simply unsafe to drive right away with an icy windshield. Of course, some drivers remove ice using special defrosting compounds or use a scraper, but in this case, additional financial costs for auto chemistry will be required, and there is also a risk of scratching the windshield. Another weighty argument in favor of warming up can be considered comfort, so it's not particularly pleasant to get into the frozen interior and start driving right away.
After warm air began to blow from the ducts and the temperature arrow began to rise slightly from the minimum mark, you can start moving. It is no longer advisable to warm the engine at idle further, since the engine will warm up very slowly. When driving, it is necessary to move smoothly, in low gears, while not spinning the internal combustion engine above the 2-2.5 thousand rpm mark. Sharp accelerations are also unacceptable. Also, do not forget that not only the engine needs to be heated, but also the transmission, as well as the chassis. According to many experts, the oil in the box hardly heats up at idle and warms up to operating temperature only after 20-30 kilometers.

If you carry out sharp changes in load modes while driving, then a large number of mating parts are exposed to accelerated wear. In other words, until the thermal gaps return to normal, and there is no complete dilution of the working fluids, even medium loads on the power unit and other vehicle components should be avoided. Ignoring these rules leads to an increased consumption of engine oil, bedding, the appearance of scoring, etc.

We add that, in addition to the engine, hydraulic components (steering rack with power steering), shock absorbers, etc. suffer. In the process of heating such parts and assemblies, it is necessary to avoid movement in pits and sharp turns of the wheels at a large angle for a couple of kilometers. This statement is also true for rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive cars that are equipped with oil-filled gearboxes. Without preheating the lubricant, these elements can also quickly fail under load. Finally, we add that it is necessary to heat both motors with. The fact is that the turbine is a fairly sensitive element to the quality of the lubricant. Minimum warm-up at idle speed for the initial dilution of oil and other technical fluids is also required, after which such units are further warmed up on the go.

How to start the engine in winter and make cold starts easier

If the car is operated in a climatic zone where there is a significant seasonal drop in temperature or frosts are almost constant, then you should think about how to warm up the engine in winter before starting. The use of such solutions as the installation of a pre-heater for the engine, electric heating of the engine in winter and other developments in this area make it possible to ensure ease of starting, increase the efficiency and comfort of operation of gasoline and diesel vehicles at low temperatures.

We add that if the car is located in a region where the climate is temperate, then it will be enough to know how to keep the engine warm in winter without major modifications. We are talking about . In some cases, a car blanket, hood insulation, or even installing a simple cardboard flap in front of the radiator is enough. This approach allows you to accelerate warm-up after starting and increase the cooling time of the engine in winter when parked.

It should be noted that most modern car alarms today are equipped with a useful function that allows you to realize auto-heating of the engine in winter. Moreover, even if there is no such option initially, you can install it. This solution allows you to start the engine remotely, that is, the car will already be warmed up at idle speed by the time the driver intends to make a trip. Autostart can be configured so that the car will start, for example, every two hours. This will prevent the engine from cooling too much during parking, which will minimize possible cold start problems in severe frosts just before the trip.

The following arguments speak of the benefits and necessity of warming up the machine:

Thick engine oil

Even a high-quality synthetic oil, designed for use in winter at negative temperatures, increases its viscosity. It thickens and the first few minutes after starting the engine does not work to its full extent.

All this affects the efficiency of lubrication and reduces the friction of the working elements of the car engine. Smooth operation of the engine without sudden acceleration at idle speed allows the engine oil to heat up and thereby reduce the viscosity. It becomes fluid and is evenly distributed over the motor.

Safety

A car parked in the courtyard of a house in the morning may resemble a snowdrift covered with snow. All glasses are completely frozen and covered with a crust of ice. Many drivers, having cleared the insignificant space of the windshield, go onto the road.

This is very dangerous, since visibility is significantly reduced and the driver cannot fully monitor the traffic situation. An incompletely cleaned windshield can cause an accident (traffic accident). It is important to completely clean the side front and windshield of the car and only then hit the road.

It is not recommended to use a cold car engine. In the cold, the metal parts of the power plant decrease in size. If you start the engine without warming up and give it a load, such actions will lead to accelerated wear of individual elements.

Warming up the engine will minimize the negative consequences associated with negative air temperatures. All elements of the motor will restore their previous dimensions after idling for 5-10 minutes.

Fuel consumption

Thrifty drivers who count every liter of fuel will be unpleasantly surprised by the fact that a cold engine consumes more fuel than under normal conditions.

This is due to the fact that in conditions of negative temperatures, the formation of a fuel-air mixture is difficult. This is especially true for diesel engines.

It will take more effort from the diesel power plant to ignite the mixture. She will have to overcome the resistance of viscous fuel and cold air.

Vehicle interior

Using a car with a cold interior is a dubious pleasure. Cold seats are detrimental to both men's and women's health. It is better to get out of the house or apartment in advance and warm up the engine than to pay for health laziness later in the future.

Battery

Warming up the vehicle reduces the load on the battery. Many drivers turn on forced electric heating instead of gradually heating the windshield and rear window.

A cold battery begins to actively transfer electrical energy to sources of consumption. Its performance suffers. All this can lead to a decrease in the density of the electrolyte and a decrease in the life of the battery.

According to the site survey Avtoguid.ru among 130 drivers aged 18 to 65 years on the issue of warming up the car engine, the following data were obtained. Always warm up the car in winter 38.46% of drivers from the total number of respondents. Never warm up the engine 15.38% of drivers... They do it very rarely. 19.23% of drivers and sometimes they warm up the engine 26.92% of car enthusiasts.

In any case, the overwhelming majority of drivers prefer to warm up the car in winter.

How to properly warm up the car in winter?

Actions to warm up the car engine and start it correctly in winter are simple and do not require special knowledge from the driver. The main thing is not to be lazy and leave the house 15-20 minutes earlier to get the car ready for the trip. This will enable the vehicle to be used at its maximum level of efficiency in the most severe frosts.

The procedure for warming up the car in winter is as follows:

Preparing the car engine for starting

Before starting the car engine, you need to turn on the dipped beam for a short time. Enough 30 seconds of time to "revive" the battery. Squeeze out the clutch of the car and thus disconnect the starter from the crankshaft and gearbox. Be sure to engage in neutral.

This will help to simplify the start of the car engine even at high negative air temperatures. If the car is diesel, you need to wait until the spiral of the fuel heating plugs goes out. It is recommended to use the glow plugs several times.

If the car engine does not start the first time, you do not need to "force" the starter and "drain" the battery. It is necessary to allow the battery to recover (30-40 seconds is enough) and try again.

When the car engine starts, you cannot immediately turn on the glass heating. You must wait 1 or 2 minutes. Do not take heat from the cooled engine from the start.

It is not recommended to direct warm air onto cold glass. If there are small cracks, they can be provoked to increase. First, the air flows are directed into the passenger compartment and only then onto the glass. You need to know and be able to properly warm up the car interior in winter.

While the engine is running and the interior is heated by warm air currents, you can begin to clean the car windows and headlights outside. This saves a decent amount of free time.

Attention should be paid to cleaning the windshield and side windows of the vehicle. The level of visibility and traffic safety on the car depends on their cleanliness. The optimal time for warming up the car in winter depends on the air temperature and the activity of using the vehicle. On average, 15-20 minutes is enough and you can hit the road.

Start of movement

Most of our country is located in latitudes where the temperature in winter drops below zero, sometimes significantly. As a rule, the operation of cars during this time is not stopped. It is generally accepted that in cold weather, a car engine needs a certain warm-up, although there are opponents of such an action. What is the actual situation, is it necessary to warm up the engine in winter, if so, why, and how to do it correctly?

Modern cars

Today, gasoline and diesel cars are equipped with engines with a complex fuel supply system equipped with injection injection. Compared to the engines of carburetor machines, the power units have undergone many changes. Injection engines are more technologically advanced, they have an advanced fuel supply mechanism, the materials themselves have changed from which engines are made, oils, coolants have also evolved.

Injector working principle:

Serviceable in subzero temperatures normally works normally immediately after start-up, that is, theoretically, it is permissible to start movement immediately. But many car owners believe that warming up the engine is needed - from a short, for a couple of minutes, to full, when the engine reaches operating temperature.

Technical manuals for injection vehicles generally state that warming up the engine before driving off is unnecessary. Car manufacturers argue this for several reasons:

engines are made of high-quality materials that tolerate minus overboard well;
technical fluids are made taking into account weather conditions (the main thing is to fill the engine with the correct oil!), and allow you to start driving in a gentle mode immediately;
when driving at low speeds, fluids and the engine warm up evenly.

The resource of the engine, according to representatives of the automotive industry, does not suffer much.

This is partly true - technology does not stand still, engines are constantly improving. But there is one more factor due to which carmakers are against engine warming up.

Interesting: one of the reasons for such statements is the influence of regulatory authorities, including environmental protection services, on the auto industry. It is known that warming up the engine at idle speed takes longer than in motion, more fuel is consumed, and the amount of harmful emissions also grows. And the catalytic converter, which is supposed to neutralize such, is switched on only when a certain temperature is reached. Therefore, it is proposed to warm the engine on the move, as it is less harmful to nature.

In some states, legislative regulation of this issue has been introduced. So, in a number of European countries there are bans on:

long engine idle operation;
warming up the engine or long periods of inactivity in parking lots and within residential areas.

If the police find a violation of the ban, the car owner will face a large fine.

Considering these laws, it should be borne in mind that:

in the Russian Federation, similar, strict environmental standards for engines have not yet been adopted;
natural conditions are often more severe;
the main task for many motorists is to keep the engine in good condition, since the car in our country continues to be, to a certain extent, a means of luxury, and overhaul (or replacement of the car), unlike the current one, is not available to all car owners.

Interesting: in the regions of the Far North, where winter temperatures drop below 50 degrees, engine shutdown is tantamount to the death of the power unit: it is very difficult to “revive” a frozen engine with icy fluids, especially if there is no warm box. Therefore, in especially cold seasons, cars are not jammed there for days and weeks. The vehicle must be specially prepared to withstand such a long work without interruption in extreme conditions.

Arguments for warming up

The ideas of the supporters of engine warm-up can be expressed in the following list:

Warming up extends engine life. In addition to viscous oil, there is such a phenomenon as thermal compression of metal: in the cold, it contracts, and the gaps between the metal components of the engine increase. The oil, remaining thick, does not allow creating the required pressure in the line, and the engine parts are in a state of oil starvation for some time, which causes increased wear, which increases even more if you start driving immediately. It is believed that one cold engine start is equal to 100 km. normal run.
Difference between engine oil and engine coolant temperatures. So, when the coolant in a car engine is warmed up to optimal 90 degrees, the engine oil is still relatively cold (about 50 degrees), and it will take time for it to reach operating temperature. And the latter is critically important for the normal operation of the internal combustion engine, therefore it is better to wait and warm up the engine in winter to a temperature of at least 4-5 degrees.

Arguments against"

Supporters of the decision to stop the practice of warming up the engine argue their position with the following arguments:

Manufacturers' recommendations - car manuals advise you to go right away, and many people prefer to stick to it.

The basis of the opinion why it is impossible to warm up car engines in winter is the assumption that the manufacturer would never knowingly indicate in the instructions something harmful to the vehicle, especially when it comes to well-known and large auto brands. After all, an accelerated failure of the engine leads to its repair under warranty, which is unprofitable for the plant.

This is true, but in part. If you look closely at the terms of the car warranty, often it is only 100-150 thousand km. mileage. And even a car operating in harsh conditions can travel such a mileage without major breakdowns. Situations are possible when there is a separate warranty for the engines, but even here, in the event of a breakdown, it will be difficult to prove that it was the line in the manual with the recommendation not to warm up the engine that was her fault.

There is an opinion from the field of "conspiracy theories" that carmakers deliberately advise not to warm up the engine in order to force motorists to make repairs, purchase spare parts, etc. Of course, modern cars are not made by engineers, but by marketers, and the principle of "programmed failure" has successfully migrated from the automotive industry to many areas. But nevertheless, this seems unlikely, since they will simply stop buying equipment that quickly breaks down, because a car is not a kettle, and is purchased for several years. If the engine starts to openly “crumble”, they will simply get rid of the car, and the model will receive a negative review, which will affect the reputation of the brand as a whole.

The quality of engine materials and oils.

This point was discussed above - it is believed that the metal of the engines, other components and fluids are adapted for a "cold start", the main thing is not to "turn" the engine immediately, moving smoothly, and there is no need to warm up the engine even in winter before the trip.

Reduced fuel consumption.

The argument is obvious: the less the car is idling, the less fuel is burned by the engine. In addition, emissions of harmful substances will also decrease.

The engine heats up faster on the move.

This is indeed the case, any car owner can be convinced of the correctness of the statement in practice. Under moderate load, the engine will reach operating temperature much faster. This is especially important if there is no pre-heater, which creates a comfortable one, and for the driver in the cabin in advance. But it is still not recommended to get under way in the cold.

Incorrect operation of the engine ignition when cold at idle.

Modern engines equipped with electronic sensors are guided, among other things, by the outboard temperature, regulating the ratio of air and fuel supplied to the engine. In a cold engine, gasoline evaporates worse, and the fuel mixture is not optimal in composition. To compensate for this, the engine ECU gives a command to add gasoline to the combustion chamber until the engine warms up to at least 4-5 degrees.

It turns out that with a long “idle” warm-up, the engine picks up temperature more slowly, without being under load. At the same time, excess fuel does not burn, settling on the surfaces of the engine cylinders, which can subsequently cause various malfunctions, including in the lubrication system. Regular "cold" warming up until the engine reaches full operating temperature is especially harmful.

Carburetor cars

The myth about the need for a long "full" warm-up of the engine came from the era when all cars were carbureted. The power supply system of such an engine is simpler: the composition of the fuel mixture is not changed by the electronics "on the fly" in accordance with the readings of the sensors, but is set by the carburetor setting. And until the engine reaches operating temperature, the quality of the fuel mixture remains suboptimal, the power plant is unstable, with dips, and may even stall. This is where the common myth comes from that any car must be warmed up completely, and only after that start moving.

There are fewer and fewer vehicles equipped with carburetors, but they still run on Russian roads, especially with regard to samples of the domestic auto industry.

Scheme of work:

Important: the engine, where the mixture is regulated by the carburetor, must be warmed up in cold weather.

So is it worth warming up the engine

From all that has been said above, we can conclude: if you have a car with a carburetor engine, you need to warm it up until the engine reaches normal temperature, and, preferably, outside the winter period. Is it worth warming up the car engine in winter if it is a gasoline injector or diesel?

Modern cars do not need a long warm-up: it is enough to let the engine run for 5-15 minutes (and in winter this is just enough to shake off the snow from the car, wipe the headlights). The engine will warm up a little and drop a little from the "warm-up" speed to close to normal, the oil will also become less viscous and will be able to provide the proper quality of lubrication. After that, you can gently start driving without overloading the engine in the first minutes.

Diesel Engines

The issue of warming up diesel engines is a separate issue due to the peculiarities of diesel fuel. Owners of a car with such power plants know that starting a diesel engine in cold weather can be more difficult than starting a gasoline engine. This difficulty arises due to the tendency of diesel fuel to thicken in the cold: it becomes viscous, poorly sprayed by engine nozzles, and ignites reluctantly.

There are several types of diesel fuel:

summer diesel fuel designed for air temperatures from 0 degrees and above;
winter, suitable for work in conditions up to -30 degrees;
arctic, for the extreme cold of the Far North.

Most of the problems with starting a diesel engine for car owners with it are associated with the wrong choice of diesel fuel: summer fuel is poured into the tank in winter.

To facilitate starting, there are pre-heating systems ("Webasto", etc.), which eliminate many of the "winter" problems with diesel engines. In this case, it is important not to forget to pour the correct grade of diesel fuel into the tank.

Important: similar systems are offered for injection and carburetor engines, their use can also be useful.

Webasto system device:

Otherwise, the technique is standard: you need to let the engine run for a few minutes, and if everything is in order, you can hit the road. Some of the rules for warming up the engine are outlined below.

Warming up rules

Car owners have empirically deduced several rules regarding how much to heat the engine:

at temperatures from 0 to +5 degrees, it is enough to warm up the engine for 1-2 minutes. The glasses do not have time to freeze under such conditions, so there is no need to wait for the stove to reach operating temperature in order to heat the interior;
from 0 to -10, it is worth warming up the engine for about 3 minutes. Technical fluids and engine metal will warm up to the minimum temperatures allowed for movement, but it may take more time to heat the passenger compartment;
from -10 to -20 - it should take 3-5 minutes to warm up the engine. Car windows can become icy and should be warmed up too. Therefore, after warming up the engine, you need to turn on the stove and provide warmth in the cabin in order to defrost the glass.

Important: do not turn on the stove at the same time as the engine starts! This will only increase the overall warm-up time.

at temperatures below -20, it is necessary to warm up the engine from 5 minutes, the specific time is determined individually, depending on the age and condition of the car. The more powerful the stove and the newer the car, the faster it will warm up. On average, the engine heats up in about 5 minutes, the interior in 10.

After the start of the movement, it is impossible to accelerate sharply, "turn" the engine and give it heavy loads during the first 2-3 kilometers of the way. Only after complete and, most importantly, uniform heating, obtained already in the direction of travel, the power unit will be able to adequately perceive such actions, if they are taken before that, metal parts that have not expanded completely after freezing will experience increased wear, the engine resource will decrease.

An important note applies to other components of the machine as well. So, even if the engine has received heating before starting to move, other elements (gearbox, parts of the steering mechanism, brake system) still remain cold and warm up during operation. Cold damages the transmission, suspension, shock absorbers deteriorate, rubber parts (including tires!) And seals “dun”, and all of them take some time to warm up. It is also necessary to start moving slowly and carefully for this reason - so as not to cause wear and tear and sudden breakdown of other parts of the machine.

On vehicles with, before starting off, it makes sense to slightly "warm up" the checkpoint, 1-2 times alternately switching the transmission modes with a delay in each of 2-3 seconds. This will help warm up the transmission oil and automatic transmission units, making their further work easier.

if the car is equipped with a power steering, this will accelerate the power steering fluid in the system;
in the case of an electric booster, the engine will receive an additional load through the generator and warm up a little faster.

conclusions

So, the answer to the question whether it is necessary to warm up the engine before driving is still positive: yes, warm it up! But not for long, especially if this is a modern vehicle with an injection engine. Long idle operation harms the engine no less than starting from a standstill "to a cold one", and a little warm-up with a leisurely and accurate drive without "spinning up" to high revs will help the engine get out faster to the optimal mode, saving the resource. It is advisable to warm up old carburetor engines longer, until they fully reach the operating temperature zone.

It is not worth turning on the stove at the same time as starting the engine in the cold, this will significantly increase the total warm-up time. A good help to the car owner will be the engine preheating system, which is started according to a schedule or remotely, by pressing a button on the key fob. It will ensure that the car is ready for movement, for example, while the driver is preparing to leave the house, thus reducing the time spent on warming up the engine.

For diesel cars, it is imperative to use diesel fuel appropriate for the season.

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