Is it harmful to "warm a car up"?

[SurreyGuy]

The recent cold weather has reminded me of something I was warned (many years ago) never to do and which I have never done - even though I don't understand the thinking behind said "warning".

Is it harmful to leave a car running (and warming up) for, say 5 or 10 minutes, in the mornings prior to driving to work?

T.I.A.

[Homer55]

Not at all, in fact you should warm a car up really...

[NORMANTHEDOG]

it is fine to leave a car running for 5/10 mins while you scrap the windows,but never leave it unattended,as it could get stolen and is against the law as well.

[dancecaller]

If you keep it in a garage with a door into your house you might be putting harmful fumes into the house.

[Ethel]

My car handbook says do not warm the car up in this manner as it can harm the engine.

"Cold starts. A car warms up faster when it is moving. Don't sit and wait for the car to warm up - drive off as soon as possible after starting."

You are also wasting fuel and causing unnecessary pollution.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks all.

[david1702198]

i dont know what harm this would do?? i would say its actually beneficial to do this as your allowing the coolant and engine oil to warm up to operating temperature which wouldnt be the case if yuo drove off right away. your also allowing the water and oil to circulate fully around the engine also. although your loical council would have something to say regarding pollution allowing the car to idle i would imagine.

[Ethel]

david - everything circulates much more efficiently and much quicker in a moving car than an idling one.

[david1702198]

ethel i did work aa a mechanic and an mot tester for 10 years and i can assure you it will do no damage at all. you will do more damage to an engine pulling away at 2000-3000 rpm when it is stone cold than you will after its warmed up a bit. the only time you have to watch is when you leave it running when it is already warm and you dont have any wind going through the grille to aid cooling.

[david1702198]

and anyway ethel the water wouldnt circulate properly for a few minutes anyway until the thermostat opened.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks all

[natalie_1982]

But when it is cold the windows keep steaming up inside so although it might be better for your car's internal workings, if you can't see where you are going! LOL

I usually leave it running for the few mins it takes me to deice the windows and wipe the inside of the windscreen.

[SurreyGuy]

Once my car is warmed up, my windows stay clear....................or are we talking at cross-purposes? Hmmmmmmmmm, I DO know one thing that makes car windows steam up! ;o)

[david1702198]

surreyguy have you been out dogging again???!!

[SurreyGuy]

No, I was referring to not having yer demister on in the rain! :op