Should you warm your car up before driving in winter? Toyota of Orlando explains.

 It's about to get COLD in Central Florida. 

Christmas is around the corner and the forecast is calling for temperatures in the 30s (that dip into the 20s once you factor in wind chill). Are you ready for it? And more importantly, is your car ready for it? Toyota of Orlando can help - our techs can check your car battery to ensure it's ready for the cold, as well as make sure your tires are inflated to the proper PSI since your tire pressure will temporarily drop when the cold front moves in. However, today we're here to address one of the most common questions we hear in winter - do you really need to warm your car up before driving in winter? 

Your car's age affects its driving in winter 

Here's the thing: The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It really boils down to your vehicle's age - in years, not miles - for the answer. Our Orlando car care specialists are here to explain. 

When your car sits for an extended period of time - like overnight in your driveway - all of the oil drains out of the engine and into the bottom of the oil pan. When you start your car again, that oil needs to recirculate through the engine to ensure all of the moving parts are lubricated, and that takes time. The amount of time varies based on your car's age. 

This recirculation of the oil is especially important when it's cold outside. Cold takes a toll on your vehicle and if you hit the road without ensuring everything in the engine is lubricated, you run the risk of damaging your pistons, which can lead to a pricey repair. 

Here's the breakdown: 

If your car is older in terms of the model year, you need to let it warm up a little bit before you hit the road. You're not actually warming the engine up - we all know that driving is the most efficient way to make that happen - but you are giving the engine time to recirculate the oil and lubricate everything. 

• Older cars take a little bit more time to make this happen just because they're not as technologically and mechanically advanced as new vehicles. 
• This is where the assumption that you have to warm your car up before driving in winter comes from; you should wait a little bit if your car isn't new. 
• A few minutes is all you need in this scenario. That gives the engine plenty of time to recirculate the oil so you can put the pedal to the metal and hit the road. 

If you drive a newer car, you don't need to let it warm up before driving in winter. Newer cars are much quicker when it comes to recirculating oil so by the time you buckle your seatbelt, adjust the heat, and pick a song from your playlist, you're good to go. 

Even if your car is older, you won't need to let it warm up for more than a few minutes. As we noted, the best way to warm up your car is to drive it. Extended idling just leads to wasted gas and more emissions. 

Let Toyota of Orlando answer your questions about driving in winter 

Still have questions about driving in winter? Toyota of Orlando is here to help. You can call us at (407) 298-0001 or stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.