What Gets Your Car Warm the Fastest In Winter?

How Do You Get a Car Warm In Winter?

Getting into a cold vehicle on a cold day is among winter’s most mentally trying parts. We can crank the heat up as high as we want, but we still have to wait for the warm air to fill up the passenger cabin. So, how do you get a car warm in the winter? Starting the vehicle before you hit the road is a tried and true method, but that can have unintended consequences. Our team put together some notes to make sure you can avoid being as uncomfortable as possible while you hit the road.

READ MORE: Get Your Car Ready For Winter

Should You Let a Car Run to Get Warm?

In the old days, engines without fuel injection and other electronic controls needed to run for a few minutes before it was advisable to pull out of the driveway. Modern automobiles need to be in motion to get the engine properly lubricated. Furthermore, getting on the road a quickly as possible is the quickest way to build up heat inside the cabin. Plus, letting a vehicle run while waiting for the cold to be driven out wastes fuel and can increase the pollution released into the air.

It should only take five to 10 minutes of driving for the cold to finally break.

What if You Drive Less In Winter?

A lot of people choose to drive less during the winter months. While this is totally understandable, letting a car, truck or SUV sit idle can cause problems down the road. As we alluded to earlier, simply turning a fess frequently used vehicle on for a few minutes isn’t enough. A vehicle should be driven at least once per week for 15 to 20 minutes to keep the battery charged and to prevent oil from completely draining from the engine.

These short trips will keep critical engine parts properly lubricated and protected. 

Make an appointment with the Downtown Tyee Service Department today if there is anything we can do to help you keep your vehicle running safely and reliably.