Most people warm their cars before they go anywhere during the winter months. It seems perfectly logical to avoid sitting in an ice-cold vehicle, watching your breath for 10 minutes. However, you are wasting valuable time, gas, and your hard-earned cash. There is a better way to warm your car quickly.
Your Car Is Made to Warm Up Quickly
Automobiles have advanced in the past two decades. Mechanics believe that there is no need to turn the vehicle on for it to warm up. Did you know that it takes about one minute for the temperature to adjust in your car? Thanks to fuel injection systems and onboard computers, the process goes quickly. It doesn’t matter if the temperature outside is 20 below zero, your car is equipped to handle it. How long does it take for your vehicle to warm up? Well, the time limit is measured by how long it takes the oil to go from the bottom of the engine to the top. Your automobile will warm up quicker if you drive it rather than letting it sit idle.
The New Cost-Effective Method
If you want a toasty car without paying the price, then turn your ignition to the on position, but don’t start the vehicle. This method defies logic. However, about five seconds after you hear the fuel pump prime the engine, you will have toasty warm air. The engine must be primed to produce heat. Once you hear that pump engage, it’s all systems go. When you start your automobile, you don’t want to turn the heater on just yet. The engine is still cold at this point so that the heater core won’t pump heat. Cold air keeps the engine from getting warm quickly. Next, you want to idle the car. If you have an older vehicle, it will need about 30 seconds as this will allow the heater core to warm. Then, you can drive your car. Once you take off down the road, turn on the heater. It should be good and hot at this point and ready to warm you up.
Air Flow Direction Is Important
The car should quickly warm up as you drive down the road. Another tip is to point the warm air towards your face or chest area. You will feel the heat quicker here than if you have it blowing around aimlessly on the floor. Direct heat is always the best. Once you are no longer chilled and you have reached the desired temperature in your cabin, then you should relocate the airflow to the floorboards. Remember, hot air rises, so it really doesn’t matter if the wind is in your face because it will keep you warm regardless. Lastly, this method works great for most cars, but it won’t work on all of them. It’s an efficient solution that doesn’t require you to sit in an ice, cold automobile waiting for the heater core to warm. For some vehicles, nothing but running the engine till the oil starts moving is going to work. However, it’s always an option you should try if there’s a chance you will save money.
