Drivers are in the habit of warming their vehicle up in winter temperatures. Drivers seem to be under the mistaken idea that they need to warm up their car for it to operate properly. By warming up they mean idling the car for a considerable amount of time before driving. This misnomer is costing you money.
Many car owners idle their car for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes in cold weather to let their cars warm up. You need no more than 30 seconds of idling to get your oil circulating before you can drive away. Do not let your car idle for more than 30 seconds.
When you idle your car you are burning gas but not going anywhere. When that happens it means you are getting zero miles per gallon. You might think that idling your vehicle for just a few minutes or so is no big deal, but you are wrong.
To illustrate how much fuel is being burned by letting your car idle for 5 to 10 minutes consider this. Let's assume you idle your car on the short side, only about 5 minutes to warm it in the morning. The likely scenario is that you idle your car for 5 minutes again, before you drive home.
That means your car is idling for 10 minutes per day. If winter is considered to be November, December, January and February, then winter is 120 days long. If you idle your vehicle for 10 minutes each day for 120 days then you are idling for 1200 minutes during the winter season.
1200 Minutes is equivalent to 20 hours. Idling your car for only 5 minutes per start amounts to letting your car sit and burn gas going nowhere, for 20 hours. Can you imagine letting you car sit and idle for 20 hours? Of course not. Then why idle for the equivalent of 20 hours of burning gas if you don't have to?
Warm your car up by driving it. To operate efficiently your car needs to warm up other parts in addition to the engine. Tires, transmission, wheel bearings and other moving parts also need to warm up. Your car's catalytic converter doesn't function at its peak until it reaches between 400C and 800C. The only way these other parts warm up is by driving. The reality is, to warm your car up completely you have to drive it anyway.
One of the easiest things you can do to prevent the loss of fuel economy in the winter is letting your car warm up efficiently. Warm it by driving it not by idling it. Changing the way you warm your car is also good for the environment. You end up burning less fuel which slows down burning a hole in the ozone and stops the burning of that hole in your pocket.
When extreme cold, icy roads, and heavy snowfall come with winter, the best-prepared driver is one able to better navigate the road and keep their vehicle in top-notch condition. Usually, autumn is the best time to get your car ready for driving in the wintertime. Below you will find a list of suggestions on how to keep your car safe and in decent working condition for a season filled with ice and snow:
Car Preparation
Antifreeze: Checking coolant levels are suggested, as well as the condition of belts or hoses, which should not appear brittle or soft.
Battery: Batteries should be tested for weakness and proven to work at proper operating levels. The battery terminals should be clean and in good working condition. Baking soda and water paste helps to clean corroded posts. The cables should also be secure.
Brakes: Make sure brake fluid is at proper levels and that rotors are in good condition. Routine inspections should check brake pads for wear.
Door Parts: It is suggested to lubricate the moving parts associated with car doors to make sure they do not become frozen in freezing temperatures. This will also ensure proper operation. Commercial de-icers also help alleviate frozen door locks. A common mistake is to use hot water to solve frozen locks, as it actually worsens the problem by creating additional freezing.
Engine: When the city you live in creates a great amount of freezing temperatures, you may want to purchase an engine block heater, which helps cars start better in the morning, as well as decreases the damage caused by cold engine starts.
Exhaust: The exhaust system should be leak-free with no holes.
Heater & Defroster: To ensure a warm and safe ride, the heater and defroster should be in good working order.
Lights: Brake lights, headlights, and reverse lights should be in good working order.
Proper Lubrication: When following the owner's manual, there are certain things that require lubrication throughout the year. For starters, the steering linkage is something to consider for winter driving.
Tires: In regards to the tires, drivers should check air pressure for proper inflation and inspect the tread for wear. You should also make sure tires are suitable for the driving conditions you aim to enter, such as using chains in regions with deep snow.
Transmission: The transmission fluid should be at proper level, while the transmission filter should be checked and changed if needed.
Tune-Up: Oil filters and air filters should be checked and changed when necessary. Fuel filters should be free of clogs and leaks.
Windshield Wipers and Fluid: Cracked or worn windshield wipers should be replaced. As a rule of thumb, wipers should be revamped every six months. Wiper fluid should be restored with an antifreeze solution especially designed for windshields.
Both Scott Siegel & Michael Murray are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Scott Siegel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Motorcycle Tips and Family. Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page book of automotive industry insider secrets on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to discover how you can get. Scott Siegel's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
Michael Murray has sinced written about articles on various topics from E Books, Cars and Mileage and Fuel. Michael Murray is an author of automotive articles and owner of a blog all about how to beat a . Michael Murray's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.