Bexley Auto Repair

Cold mornings tempt everyone to start the car and let it sit for a while. The cabin gets warm, the windows clear, and it feels like you are being kind to the engine. In reality, long idling does not help much and can create new problems. A smarter warm-up gets oil moving quickly, clears the glass, and brings the drivetrain up to temperature without wasting fuel or stressing parts. What Actually Happens Inside a Cold Engine When the engine is cold, the oil is thicker and sits in the oil pan. The first seconds after startup matter most because bearings, cam lobes, and timing parts need a steady film of oil right away. Modern oils flow faster than they used to, but they still need a brief moment to circulate. That is why the best warm up is short. Give the engine a few seconds to stabilize, then drive gently so the oil pump can build pressure at light load and distribute heat throughout the engine. Why Long Idling Is Not Your Friend Idling for ten min ... read more