Posted on 10/31/2025
When temperatures drop, it's common to see cars idling in driveways on frosty mornings. Many drivers believe that warming up the engine is essential before hitting the road. But is that still true with modern vehicles? The answer depends on how you define "warming up" and what you're trying to protect. Let’s look at the facts and clear up a few common misconceptions. What Warming Up an Engine Actually Means Decades ago, carbureted engines required time to warm up because fuel delivery wasn’t computer-controlled. In those vehicles, a cold engine ran rough and could stall if driven too soon. Modern engines, however, use electronic fuel injection systems that adjust the air-fuel mixture automatically. That means they’re able to start and run in cold weather with much greater efficiency. But while modern engines don’t need to idle for 10 minutes before driving, they still benefit from a brief warm-up, just enough to allow oil t ... read more