Yes, warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine
ByJames
Can warming up your car before driving in cold weather hurt the engine? To find out, we spoke with the U.S. Department of Energy, NAPA Auto Parts, Firestone Complete Auto Care, and Smart Motors Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin.
QUESTION: Can warming up your car before driving in cold weather damage the engine?
ANSWER: Yes, it can. Gas-powered cars need oil to keep their engines lubricated. When you start a car, an oil pump circulates the oil in less than a minute. But if you let your car idle to warm up the cabin, the oil will start to slowly drain away from the engine’s key components since the engine isn’t moving the car.
“Less oil means more friction, more wear and tear, and a shorter life for your engine,” Firestone says.
