There has long been a debate about the importance of warming up a car before driving it. Some feel it’s the right thing to do, whereas others say it’s unnecessary, especially with newer cars. Still, many auto mechanics and traditionalists swear by this practice, and there is significant evidence to support it. Recently, one popular mechanic took to social media to explain why cold starting a car could cause issues. 

Most auto mechanics agree cold starting a car isn’t best

Recently, the TikTok account Gillspointstire took to the platform to discuss cold starting your car. Like many auto mechanics before, he stands on the side that says cars need time to warm up before being driven. He begins by saying that car owners will notice that their vehicle has a high idle when it first starts. He says that this is the car’s way of moving all the fluids to the right places for proper lubrication. 

The short video about cold starting goes on to say that the process of getting the fluids in the right place doesn’t take long. Many auto mechanics also agree that this isn’t a super long process. In fact, the guy in the video says the one he used as an example only needed about a minute to warm up. Of course, some drivers may let their cars run longer in the winter so that the heater can reach a comfortable temperature. 

Of course, auto mechanics understand there may be emergency situations that require immediate use of a car. Still, it’s generally agreed upon that modern cars only need about 30 seconds to warm up. Taking this small amount of time will make the vehicle run more smoothly. It can also save on some degree of long-term wear and tear.