Should you really warm up your car before driving?

On cold winter days, it is common to go outside and warm up the car before driving.

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This has some advantages, say supporters. First of all, there is the superficial benefit of starting your car’s engine and raising the interior of the car a few degrees so you don’t feel cold in your own vehicle.

But advocates say the benefits don’t stop there. Some experts claim that warming up your car is essential to its long-term health – and according to TikTok user Bev (@bevurly), this behavior is one of five things drivers should do to extend the life of their car. But is he right?

Should you always let your car warm up?

In a video with over 1.4 million views, Bev gives drivers five tips for their cars.

The first tip that has sparked the most discussion is the importance of warming up the car.

“I don’t care what they say. 100 degrees outside, minus 100 degrees outside – please wait there for five minutes,” he says. “Let the speed drop and then drive. It’s simple. It’s preventative and you should do it.”

Bev then gave four more tips, including not letting the car idle for too long, not turning the air conditioning all the way on as soon as you get in, not overfilling the gas tank and only driving a vehicle when it is completely empty of gas – all claims previously investigated by the Daily Dot.

Additionally, in a comment, the TikToker retracted his A/C comment and wrote, “Hey guys, I did more research on the AC habit.” I was wrong. There is no need to wait for it to be used. Excuse me!”

While all of this was discussed by commentators, many questioned his stance on warming up the car.

What experts say about warming up your vehicle

In general, other experts disagree with Bev’s advice, claiming that while you shouldn’t start the car and hit the accelerator immediately, the warm-up time for most vehicles is typically quite short.

For example, AAA recommends “starting the engine and letting it idle only until you fasten your seat belt.” This will ensure that the lubricating oil reaches all important parts of the engine.”

Consumer Reports agrees. “Consumer Reports Chief Mechanic John Ibbotson says that while it makes sense to let the engine run for a minute before driving on a cold day, there’s no reason to run it longer than that To warm the interior and demist the windshield. And there is a real downside: fuel waste and emissions,” they write.

However, some mechanics swear by the practice, so it’s safe to say there is still some debate in this area.

@bevurly 5 bad habits that are harming your car! #Cars ♬ Original sound – Bev

In the comments section, users were divided over the advice shared in the video.

“It doesn’t take 5 minutes to warm up, it takes maybe 1 second for the oil to come to the top. You need to drive it to warm up your transmission and other components. If you buckle up, you’ll be fine,” one user said.

“Just avoid hard acceleration when the engine is cold,” another added.

“It doesn’t have to be 5 minutes but yeah, let the revs go down,” shared a third. “It usually takes 15 to 30 seconds for the speed to drop and you can start.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Bev via a TikTok direct message and comment.

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