Getting in a cold vehicle during the winter is never pleasant, but letting your car warm up before driving away does more harm than good. Research shows that letting a car idle prior to driving is not only unnecessary, but detrimental to the engine. The following auto repair facts show why you should think twice before letting your car heat up during those frigid mornings. 

Why Heating Your Car Up Prior to Driving Will Lead to Extensive Auto Repair

Why Was It Okay in the Past? 

Due to the design of modern vehicles, running a car on cold days can lead to a number of auto repair issues. Older drivers may remember having to start the car to warm up the engine oil in years past, when it was thicker and could thicken considerably in low temperatures. However, today's engines run off of highly advanced synthetic blends that are fluid no matter the temperature. For this reason, drivers don’t need to worry about heating up an engine’s oil before use.

What Damage Can It Cause? 

Conversely, cold-starting an engine and letting it idle can cause an engine to “run rich.” This means the fuel sensors add more gasoline to the fuel mixture than what’s needed for combustion. This added gasoline can get into the combustion chamber and the cylinder walls, effectively stripping oil off the walls of the chamber. This puts engine components like piston rings and cylinder liners at risk of a reduced service life.

How Should You Take Care of Your Car Instead? 

Beyond the harm that it can do, preheating your engine prior to driving is inefficient. It has been proven that driving is the fastest way to warm up a car. While it might be tempting to get into a heated vehicle in the morning, braving a few minutes of cold can save the life of your engine. In addition to these practices, take your car in for a tune-up before winter strikes. Preventative maintenence — including oil changes, alignment services, and tire rotations — will ensure your car is ready to get you from point A to point B, no matter the temperature outside. 

If you take care of your car, your car will take care of you. By observing winter driving best practices, you can help extend the life of your vehicle and avoid unnecessary breakdowns. To get your vehicle ready for winter, head to the ASE-certified auto mechanics at Gearheads Auto Service in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Their team has been helping area drivers of both classic and everyday cars beat the winter blues with their preventative maintenance packages for more than 11 years. Call them at (330) 929-0200 or visit them online to learn more about their auto repair services.