The mornings where the winter cold makes us regret to have come out of our bed, it is common to see certain motorists Start their car during defrosting their windows, so that the mechanics heats up. This tradition, transmitted from generation to generation and often advised by ancient garage owners, finds its roots in an era when automotive technology was very different. But times have changed, and This habit could now play bad tricks on you.
An outdated practice that threatens your engine
Modern engines have nothing to do with those of thirty years ago. Equipped with sophisticated electronic injection and multiple sensors, they adjust in real time the air-fuel mixture depending on the temperature. Current oils, much more efficient, ensure an almost instantaneous lubrication of mechanical parts. “Heating” its stopping engine becomes not only superfluous, but potentially harmful.
The real danger lies in the accumulation of unruly fuel. When the engine runs cold slow motion, combustion is imperfect. The fuel residues mix with engine oil, gradually decreasing its lubricating properties. This premature degradation of the oil can cause accelerated wear of mechanical componentsespecially the piston segments and the walls of the cylinders.
The hidden cost of a false good idea
Beyond potential mechanical damage, this habit directly impacts your wallet. An engine that runs on slow motion for 10 minutes each morning consumes unnecessarily almost a half-liter of fuel. Over three months of winter, this represents more than 45 liters of wasted fuel, the equivalent of 80 euros literally left for smoke while you could have used it to move.
But the bill can be even more salty. Few motorists know it, but Leaving your engine to run at an illegal stop in France. Article R318-1 of the Highway Code stipulates that it is prohibited to let its engine run parking. Most experts recommend Do not let your engine run for a stop that lasts more than 20 seconds. The offense is liable toa fine of 135 euros. This measure, initially designed to combat urban pollution, applies both in the city and in rural areas.
The right method to preserve its engine
The solution? Start and roll immediately, but gently. The first kilometers must be done at moderate diet, without rushing the mechanics. It is the best way to allow all the parts of the engine to gradually reach their optimal operating temperature.
In very cold weather only, a short heating time of one to two minutes can be justified, especially for diesel engines. But beyond, you risk degrading your vehicle than preserving it. The manufacturers themselves confirm: modern cars are designed to start and drive immediately, even in cold weather.
The only exception concerns old vehicles, particularly those before 1990. Their less sophisticated design may require longer heating time. But for the vast majority of the current fleet, this practice is definitely belonging to the past.
- Heat its modern engine to degrade the oil and accelerate mechanical wear
- This habit wasted fuel and can cost a fine of 135 euros
- The best method: start and ride immediately smoothly for a few minutes
