Is it necessary to keep the car idling before driving in low temperatures? This is a myth. Here’s what you should do.
As every year at this time, getting to the car very early in the morning is not the most pleasant thing, especially if it is parked on the street. In these cases, the interior temperature of the vehicle can be close to 0 degrees Celsius, so the temptation to plug in the heating to the fullest is almost a purely innate action. On the contrary, it is essential carry out a series of previous recommendations to avoid future breakdowns. After all, following a simple protocol can be differential.
You may have heard that, before starting off, it is recommended that the vehicle idle for a couple of minutes. This, however, is not favorable, since there is no regular warm-up of the engine and all the components likely to perform better with heat. In fact, it is much more advisable to start walking and, of course, not force any of the elements that are under our control. So, stepping on the accelerator more than necessary does not seem to be an interesting alternative.
Let’s see, therefore, What are the differential keys to use our vehicle in adverse weather conditions in which low temperatures tend to act as a major determining factor. Carrying out the recommendations mentioned below can mean the difference between suffering a serious breakdown or increasing the useful life of the car. That said, here are some recommendations that you should put into practice now in the winter season.
The first thing worth mentioning is that, although the images below show a thermal representation of an internal combustion engine, the same tips apply to an electric car. After all, driving in freezing weather is still one of the main disadvantages of the electric car, so you have to be careful and try not to force the parts. In this sense, the first thing that is recommended is to wait just a few seconds after completing the ignition of the vehicle.
According to the information provided by Engineering Explained, the first few minutes are essential when it comes to understanding the future of your car mechanics. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out a progressive use of the accelerator. It is recommended not to exceed, as a guide, 2,000 rpm for diesel technology vehicles and 2,500 rpm for gasoline options. This should be kept like this until the temperature indicators on the instrument panel reach their optimum level.
In this way, it is guaranteed that all elements susceptible to wear are fully lubricated. In the previous images you can see how the heating of the different parts that we can find in the car is uneven, so it is necessary to carry out this process continuously. Asking for all the benefits from the start can mean thousands of euros in breakdowns in the medium term.
It is especially It is important to have touch with the accelerator pedal until the courtesy 5 minutes have elapsed. For the rest, ice tablets, in very cold climates, can influence the reaction time until a car stops, so it can be another point to test at the beginning of the march. Be that as it may, being careful at the beginning can allow you to save a lot of money in the medium and long term.