Winter has Come to Pittsburgh, Should I Be Warming Up My Vehicle?

How Long Do I Need to Let My Toyota Warm Up During the Winter?

Winter is finally making its way to Pittsburgh (stay safe during the winter storm on Saturday), and we are not sure if we are ready for the cold. With that being said, many drivers start to wonder if it would behoove them to idle their vehicle’s engine to help warm it up. Let us clear things up and explain the cold (no pun intended), hard truth.

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Are There Any Advantages to Idling My Toyota’s Engine During the Winter?

The only advantage is your own personal comfort because the cabin will be a little warmer. Because of that, your fogged windshield may clear up as well.

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What are the Possible Consequences of Idling My Toyota’s Engine

Idling your engine actually can cause more harm than good, and you really should not do it. One of the biggest consequences is the high risk of damaging important components under the hood, like spark plugs, cylinders, and even the engine. These damages are extremely difficult to repair, and thus, very expensive. So you are better off driving cold and saving yourself money.

And since we are on the topic of saving money, idling your engine only allows your vehicle to suck up extra fuel. It is already expensive to fill up the tank, so try to save as much of that fuel as you can by not idling your engine!

Finally, idling your engine can be extremely dangerous, especially if your vehicle is parked in the garage and all the doors are closed. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly.

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How Should I Warm Up My Toyota During the Winter?

The best way to warm up your Toyota is very simple: just drive it! However, you should try to be as gently as possible (don’t gun the engine or slam on the brakes). If your window is fogged, you may preheat your engine, but only for a maximum of 30 seconds.

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