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Efficient Car Warming in Freezing Temps: AAA’s Surprising Advice
It’s not a secret that most of the country is seeing below-freezing temperatures. The average for this time of year in Wichita, Kansas, is around 30 degrees. For the past week, we’ve seen temperatures as low as 2 with wind chills as low as -20.
One of the realities of cold weather is warming your car up. When growing up, mechanics would say to let your car run for 15 minutes before driving, allowing the car to warm up and the heater to work efficiently. But KSN reports that you don’t have to wait nearly that long to warm up your vehicle.
Everyone will likely agree that entering a warm car with heat blazing in your face is nice, especially in frigid temperatures. But AAA says that’s not necessary.
AAA says drivers should “start the engine and allow it to idle only for the time it takes to fasten your seatbelt.” The reasoning, according to AAA, has to do with the way oil cycles through the engine.
“Driving the car normally and avoiding hard acceleration brings the engine to a warmer temperature faster and also reduces wear and exhaust emissions,” AAA wrote.
AAA noted that allowing your car to idle longer is acceptable, especially if you are scrapping snow or ice off your windows.
Are you surprised by AAA’s advice on how long to warm your car in freezing temperatures? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below. Remember to follow me to read more of my content.
Originally published on Newsbreak.
