How long to warm up the car in winter. Will driving on a cold car damage the power steering? Something else useful for you

In the yard of the XXI century, the operation of an automobile engine has long been controlled by a computer that regulates the supply of fuel and ignition, depending on external conditions. But most motorists did not have time to rebuild after the progress, making mistakes when warming up the engine in the cold season. Methods of starting and warming up in frost, relevant 20 years ago, for modern engines useless and sometimes harmful.

Can't warm up

There is a widespread belief that modern car engines do not need to warm up before driving. It's a delusion. Warming up the engine is necessary, driving on a cold engine will not lead to good.

“There is a clear indication in service cards for all types of engines and at all times: warming up the engine is necessary to achieve operating clearances between parts and bring technical fluids to the specified viscosity values. The engine is made of different metals, which have different indicators of temperature deformation. The design of the engine is designed for operation in a given temperature range, which is achieved by warming up the engine at idle,” says engineer Sergey Kolchin.

Running the engine without warming up can cause serious engine damage.

You can not warm the engine "by temperature"

Traditionally, Russian drivers control the warming up of a car engine according to the readings of a temperature sensor. Most modern engines internal combustion have an operating temperature of 90 degrees. But this approach is wrong. For a car enthusiast, he can turn around excessive spending fuel for heating and a significant loss of time.

"Warm up the car Idling up to 90 degrees at a temperature of minus 20 is possible. But it will take 30-40 minutes. It is not advisable to waste fuel and time on such warming up,” says auto mechanic Vitaly Loginov.

Engine oil thickens when low temperatures. Mineral loses viscosity at a temperature of 15-20 degrees below zero, "semi-synthetics" at 25-30 degrees below zero. thick oil adversely affects the operation of the internal combustion engine.

“The oil in the engine performs three functions at once: lubrication of rubbing surfaces, removal of wear products and cooling of moving parts. In the case of negative temperatures, the last two points are not relevant. Cool cold motor not necessary, and wear in this mode is negligible. But there is not enough lubrication for the engine, because of this, the friction force increases, ”says Vitaly Loginov.

High friction forces lead to high flow fuel. Almost all modern cars have on-board computers that display consumption figures. Vitaly Loginov advises heating the car "according to consumption."

"A car with an engine power of up to 100 Horse power idling consumes 0.8-0.9 liters of fuel per hour. When starting a cold engine, this figure is usually 2.7-3 liters per hour. To enter the engine into operating mode, it is enough to warm it up to normal values. Waiting for warming up to 90 degrees is a waste of time and gasoline,” says Vitaly Loginov.

Do not "gas" during warm-up

Some motorists try to speed up the warming up of the car by increasing the engine speed. But it is impossible to “gas” with a cold engine.

“All gaps in the engine are designed for a certain oil viscosity, at low temperatures the viscosity of the lubricant increases, and it is not able to flow between the rubbing surfaces. Parts are working oil starvation. Which leads to their increased wear,” says Vitaly Loginov.

Moreover, wear in this case is sharp, almost explosive. The rings on the pistons may fail, and scuffs and nicks form on the cylinder mirror, which can only be corrected during overhaul engine.

The engine must be warmed up at idle, without touching the gas pedal. In this case, the output to the operating mode will pass without consequences.

Oil heaters must not be used

Some motorists use so-called oil heaters to start the engine during the cold period. This device is a heating element that is installed in a hole oil dipstick and connects to the car battery. It is assumed that this device warms up the oil, returns it to fluidity and simplifies warming up. But it's just marketing ploy. These devices do more harm than good.

“Oil heaters do not solve the problems of starting and warming up the engine in winter period. The power of these devices rarely exceeds 20-30 watts, which is clearly not enough to warm up 3.5-4 liters of oil in a cold engine at a temperature of minus 20. In some cases, the temperature of the heater is so high that the oil on its surface begins to burn, while the entire volume remains cold,” says Vitaly Loginov.

Can't touch hard

There is oil not only in the engine, but also in the gearbox. It also thickens at low temperatures and processes occur in the box, similar to those in the engine. After warming up the engine, the oil in the box remains cold. Therefore, it is impossible to move sharply. Mechanics advise a smooth start and movement at a speed of no more than 10 km / h for the first 300-400 meters. This is quite enough for the oil in the box to begin to perform its functions.

It seems that everyone does this: they start the car in the morning and sit inside while the engine “warms up”. You are probably doing this to protect the engine. This means that they have become a victim of a myth that actually does more harm than good.

For the past 26 years, Chiatti has been studying internal combustion engines, i.e. motors that burn liquid fuel to produce energy. Currently, he even oversees the work of the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois.

In short, the conclusion of the expert is as follows:

Running a car engine idling in cold weather not only causes you to waste extra fuel, but also harms the engine.

Because when the engine is running and the car is stationary, the frozen oil does not have time to get to the cylinders and pistons in time. The result is an increased, unacceptable load on them.

How it works:

IN normal conditions your car engine runs on a mixture of air and evaporated fuel - take gasoline as an example. The mixture enters the cylinder, the piston compresses it - and this leads to a micro-explosion, which gives energy to the engine.

But when it's cold outside, gasoline doesn't evaporate well. Initially, your car compensates for this by adding more gasoline, so at first the engine runs on increased speed. And this is where the problems begin.

“The problem is that when too much fuel enters the combustion chamber, some of it remains on the cylinder walls. Chiatti says. - Gasoline is a great solvent, and it really washes lubricants off the walls when you start the engine in the cold. This is especially important if the car has been standing on the street for a long time and will not start.

This leads to insufficient lubrication of the piston rings and cylinder liners. And they are crucial for starting cylinders and pistons, that is, in order to "breathe life" into your car engine.

Let's summarize. the main problem with frost - that because of it the oil thickens. As a result, friction units run “dry”, wear mechanical parts in this case occurs much faster than usual.

But in which case will the engine warm up faster - if you drive or if you stand?

Conclusion: contrary to popular belief, idling the engine does not extend its life, but only shortens it.

By the way, this is what manufacturers say modern cars: none of them recommends warming up the engine while parked.

And further. If you have automatic transmission gear, then you need to warm it up. Of course, the only way to do this is to drive slowly with gentle throttle control. A couple of tens of seconds is enough for this: just as much is usually required to leave the yard.

A simple solution

After your engine warms up to 4.4 degrees Celsius, the rpm will start to drop. And you will see it on the tachometer scale. Along the way, you will notice that the salon began to enter warm air. But don't confuse heat from the radiator with engine heat!

“Idling will cause the engine to warm up more slowly than usual. This means that the machine electronics will continue to actively saturate the cylinders. fuel mixture", says Chiatti.

So the fastest and The best way warming up the car - wait 30–60 seconds after you have started the engine, and calmly start moving. Or maybe not wait at all.

The main thing at the same time is not to press the gas pedal too actively in the first minutes of movement. “Be gentle with the car for the first 5-15 minutes of driving. So you save the motor from unnecessary stress, ”recommends the expert.

Plus, it's just plain unprofitable. An insufficiently warmed up engine spends at least 12% more fuel than usual. If you press hard on the gas pedal immediately after entering the road, then you are just wasting extra fuel without getting any benefits. A mechanical engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology assures us of this.

The roots of the myth

Some myths are very tenacious, and this one is no exception. The basis for it was the era when all gasoline engines were carbureted. But back in the 1980s, they began to use electronic injection fuel, which made this "five minute rule" irrelevant.

The key difference here is that electronic fuel injection itself regulates the composition air-fuel mixture that enters the cylinder. The carburetor did not know how to do this: it did not have a special sensor for this. But since cars with carburetors are no longer made, there is no need for idling.

A car can be called a living being: it “breathes” air, “eats” fuel, runs and has a “heart” − . How else does she look like a person? In the cold, people begin to live differently: dress warmer, take care of their health, take care of their lungs, and the car may need special engine warm-up. This is very important in order to preserve the life and excellent technical qualities of the engine for a long time.

And now the cold has already arrived, which means that the question has become more topical: do you need to warm up the engine or is it not necessary. Why did we raise this issue? A few decades ago, the roads of the country were predominantly. There was enough fuss with them: open the throttle valve, at the same time make sure that the engine does not “choke”.

But now drivers prefer, which are somewhat different from carburetor ones. Therefore, on the eve of frosty days, a dilemma arises: whether to warm up the engine or is it enough to turn the key in the ignition, turn on the gear and move in the right direction. Now we will analyze this issue, and note that it will significantly affect the safety of travel, the reliability of the engine and, as a result, you will get significant savings in the operation of the car.

To warm up or not - that is the question

Let's look at what happens when the ignition is turned on. Gasoline and the required amount of oxygen in the form of a combustible mixture enter the combustion chamber. electrical system engine supplies current to the spark plug. As a result, ignition occurs combustible mixture, which significantly increases the pressure inside the cylinders, this contributes to the movement piston group engine, and they, in turn, through the details and mechanisms rotate the wheels.

Another important factor affecting quick launch engine, this is the temperature of the oil in the crankcase. Oil enters the engine only after it is started. But in the first minutes, quite intense friction of the parts begins, this contributes to their wear, but the more the temperature rises, the faster the oil heats up to the required performance. Oil is spilled between the parts, friction is reduced, productivity is increased, and as a result, the engine runs evenly and stably.

To understand this principle more simply, imagine jelly and hot oil. In jelly, even a spoon turns with difficulty, and in the second version, even a potato bounces in a pan.

Time required for warm-up

We already at the beginning of the article analyzed the seasonal changes in the operation of the car. It is necessary to change not only rubber, but also to warm up the engine in a different way. Let's take the operating temperature of the motor as a base, it is approximately 90 ° C, and we will build on this. If it is +20 degrees outside, you can reach the desired temperature much faster than at -10 °, and even more so -20 ° C.

Of course it's hard to match temperature regime and warm-up time. Each car has its own characteristics, its own power, and even individual parking spaces. Which also affects the period of readiness of the motor to move.

1. Consider an interesting innovation that makes it easier to warm up the motor: remote start engine." A wonderful high-tech feature, perfect in every way. You calmly go about your morning routines: gymnastics, picking up the kids for school or shaving, browsing the mail on the Internet, in fact, do not build your life according to the needs of your beloved car. It is enough to go outside, get into the car and calmly move along the desired route. But in order to make the preparation for the trip more comfortable in this way, it is necessary to install a modern and reliable car alarm on your car, which has the function of starting the engine remotely. In this case, the engine speed during warm-up becomes stable.
2. More affordable option normal warm up. It would seem, what is the difficulty? However, at low temperatures there are some nuances. It's one thing if the car spent the night, even in an unheated garage. 5 minutes is enough to stabilize the speed. This is provided that the temperature did not fall below -5 degrees. At lower temperatures, not only the warm-up time increases, but the driving mode should also be somewhat different. It is necessary to start slowly, not to overdrive, to pick up speed as if with "laziness".

These moments will give a positive result if you take care of them in advance. winter version, and fill the cooling system with high-quality liquid.

Warming up the engine in warm winters and at positive temperatures

Let's talk about the fact that there are not always frosty winters, and spring is just around the corner, what experts advise in this case, whether it is worth warming up the engine, or "sat down, turned on the ignition and it's great." There is no single answer. On the one hand, this procedure does not have a very positive effect on environment. Let's be frank, we mostly use not environmentally friendly cars.

But there is another more significant side of this issue: the long-term operation of the motor. Agree, constant "shock" loads will in no way contribute to the normal operation of the "heart" of the car. Therefore, “gentle” warming up helps to stabilize the speed at any time of the year. And as a result, the engine starts to work without stress and overload.

Expert opinion

Most designers and car makers recommend using high-quality ("Tosol", etc.), good oil. Most of the tests showed interesting results. On a cold engine, wear is not observed, but under the condition of a small load.

Engineers explain this feature by the fact that a small load helps the engine to slowly, but at the same time more efficiently achieve the required operating temperature motor. To put it simply, don't throttle hard at the moment you turn on the ignition and forget about fast starts.

But at the same time, to the question of whether to warm up the engine in winter, specialists give an unequivocal answer: yes. It is necessary to warm up for at least 30 seconds, and carburetor about 1-2 minutes.

Low air temperatures now and the coming frosts in the near future make us think about proper preparation car for the trip. You can choose the option that suits you best: install "smart" electronics or properly warm up the car after parking in the cold. But in any case, it is worth listening to the above tips, this will save the motor for a long time, and you will be spared from problems.

The question of the need to warm up the engine in winter is still open; driving with an unheated engine reduces its wear resistance. Low temperature conditions lead to thickening of the oil, which prevents its access to parts and leads to a decrease in the quality of the running gear.

Warming up the car in winter required condition, if you want to long service auto.

Do I need to warm up my car in winter?

Cars manufactured ten years ago need a long warm-up, and modern models vehicles are dispensed with a few minutes to improve engine performance. There are the following reasons arguing the need to warm up the engine in winter:

• dependence of the density and useful properties of the oil on the temperature regime;
• in the cold, the gaps wear out faster;
• loss of dynamics, throttle response at low temperatures;
• the possibility of increasing fuel consumption;
• reduced visibility and increased risk of accidents as a result.

Excessive density engine oil negatively affects the life of the mechanisms - when the parts are lubricated worse, and the speed is high, the wear resistance decreases. After warming up, the oil gains the desired consistency, restoring beneficial features. In this case, the engine has enough lubrication, the service life increases.

Clearances on a supercooled motor deviate from the established norm, which leads to the risk of rapid wear at high speeds. After the engine warms up, they return to normal. The instability of work is expressed in the loss of driving dynamics, the “sneezing” of the mechanism.

This nature of the movement leads to excessive fuel consumption as a reaction to the difference in the temperature of the air-fuel mixture and the environment. You are unlikely to get the pleasure of driving in a cold car, and frosted windows reduce visibility, which increases the risk of getting into an accident.

How to properly warm up the engine

If you warm up the engine incorrectly, its resource decreases. A competent approach to knowing the procedure for warming up the machine will save you unnecessary trouble and extend the life of the machine. vehicle. It will be right:

• start with the battery so that it does not lose its properties under the influence of cold - load it by turning it on for 15 seconds distant headlights. This time is enough to warm up the electrolyte;
• turn off the high beam to restore the battery within 30 seconds;
• close the radiator from the outside to speed up the process (or throw felt on top);
• start the engine;
• if the gearbox is manual, press the clutch pedal to unload the crankshaft, gearbox and hold for 2-3 minutes to warm up the oil;
• when the car does not start, we take a break for 2-3 minutes to restore the battery. It is necessary to ensure that the starter rotates no longer than 20 seconds. If the car still won't start, it's time to move on to troubleshooting;
• after the engine has started, turn on the stove to warm up the interior - the air will go first into it, and then to Windshield. This will avoid the appearance of microcracks between the glass and the body;
• go on the road to minimum speed(40 km/h) to allow the engine to warm up more.

After driving 5-6 kilometers of the road, the vehicle will restore its functions and will be ready for operation in normal speed mode.

Popular misconceptions

Among motorists, myths associated with warming up a car are common. Some of them are unfounded or exaggerated. Let's look at common misconceptions.

• Myth one: if you warm up the car at idle, more fuel will be consumed. Excessive fuel consumption takes place, but this is noticeable only if the car warms up for 20-30 minutes. In 2-3 minutes of warming up gasoline will be used up less, but the mechanisms will work properly.
• Myth two: warming up the engine is harmful. This is due to the formation of resin deposits on the valves. They can stall due to a loose fit to the seat, but the engine will not fail completely. In return, turbines can break if the car is not warmed up. It is more harmful to do without preheating.
• Myth three: in winter you can do without warming up the car. In fact, if you do not limit yourself to at least a slight warm-up for a period of 2 minutes, the piston machine will become unusable. The fuel will not evaporate well, and condensation will form on the mechanism, which will cause wear due to corrosion. When such condensate with sulfur content and excess water will fall machine oil, the filters will clog along with the channels.

You should not take seriously the misconceptions about warming up the car, but you can pay attention to some details.

Important Features

From how the fuel is supplied, using an injector or a carburetor, the heating scheme does not change. The engine starts the same way, but there are features that should be considered.

If the car runs on diesel fuel, then remember that it comes in three types - with different octane rating, ignition temperature:

• summer - for temperature conditions within +1 degree and above;
• winter - used at temperatures from 0 to -30 degrees;
• arctic - used in northern latitudes.

Problems with starting the car can be the result of using summer fuel in winter.
Watch the video on how to warm up the car:

Outcome

With an on-board computer, you can easily determine the end of warm-up. In the absence of electronics and the presence carburetor engine the temperature of the oil is indicated by the arrow of the temperature sensor for the coolant when it moves and the idle speed drops. The process will end when the temperature rises to 50 degrees. It is not recommended to immediately increase the speed. After warming up the coolant to 80 degrees, you can gain acceleration.

Thorough warming up of the car in winter will extend the service life by slowing down the wear of the mechanisms. It is important to warm up the engine, but you should not be too zealous either - everything needs a measure.

As the soul tells any motorist - it is necessary to warm. It was laid down by our fathers and grandfathers.

Instructions for new foreign cars say otherwise. Sit comfortably in cold car, turned on the ignition - and you can get under way. Whom to believe, and how to do it right? The search for an answer leads to several factors: ecology, engine life, fuel economy, climatic conditions.

Warm-up Features

The motor will be fully warmed up as soon as all the working fluids reach the operating temperature, that is, they stop heating up further. Antifreeze gets the temperature faster than the others. With it, the upper elements of the motor begin to thaw - the head, the pistons.

But with the oil in the sump, the situation is quite different: it heats up much more slowly. How to see it? Anyone who pays attention to on-board computer, you may notice that even after the cooler is fully heated, fuel consumption at idle may decrease. Therein lies the answer: it's the cold oil. The neutralizer takes the longest to heat up. After that, the toxicity of gases goes to its usual level. The operating mode of the motor greatly affects the warm-up rate.

Warm up or not: pros and cons

Those who talk about the usefulness of warming up argue that a cold engine wears out much faster under load. However, numerous tests have shown the inaccuracy of this assumption. Prolonged warm-up with the advent of modern cars has become an excess of the past. However, is it possible to answer this question so unambiguously?

When overheated, candles are especially affected. At this point, getting rich quickly air-fuel mixture, candles are filled and wear out quickly.

Driving with a cold engine

Modern cars with an integrated injection system that allows you to independently change the parameters of the power unit, do well without warming up. It is replaced by the work of electronics. One rule that must be observed when driving a cold engine is not to spin it up to maximum speed. It takes some time to wait for the heating of the working fluids.

Warming up a modern car

Electronic heating systems, which are equipped with many foreign cars, are designed for mild European winters. The harsh realities of Russian cold weather are what the technological models supplied to Russia least expect. If this rule does not work for the southern regions, then residents of the middle lane will have to regularly perform this important procedure like warming up. Given this feature, we can say that it is still necessary to warm up an imported car. However, what are the requirements to be followed? For modern machine 3-5 minutes are enough for all liquids and parts to come into working condition and were able to fully cope with their tasks.

• From 5 degrees to 0 - glass with such a frost is not yet covered with a crust of ice. The engine idling time should not exceed 2 minutes, it is better to wait 1.5 minutes.
• From 0 to -10 - the warm-up time can be increased to 2-2.5 minutes.
• From -10 to -20. You need to warm the iron beast for 3-5 minutes already. During this time, even the interior of the car will have time to get enough heat.
• If the air temperature drops below 20 degrees below zero, you should leave the car to idle for at least 5 minutes.

If there is absolutely no desire to wait for warming up, an alarm with auto start will help.

Fuel consumption and engine wear

When warmed up, fuel consumption increases by about 5%. If the procedure is performed twice a day, there is reason to think about reducing the warm-up time. During prolonged idling, the air-fuel mixture is rapidly enriched, which leads to its incomplete combustion in the chamber. This entails the formation of soot on the walls. Subsequently, the engine may require costly repairs. In a diesel engine, long-term warm-up suffers from injectors that quickly coke.

Every motorist knows that the onset of cold weather involves additional expenses and numerous minor annoyances. For example, you need to take care of buying winter tires, changing the oil, installing a new battery.

The machine before operation requires mandatory warm-up and proper establishment. At present, there is no unequivocal answer regarding the advisability of a long and correct start of the engine and gearbox, since many car operating instructions indicate that there is no need to warm up the car before using it, but first you need to move on low revs for heating liquids.

However, professionals note that the operation of the car in the frosty season involves additional warm-up measures.

Since the middle of the last century, motorists have been actively using the concept of “engine warming up”. Previously, the cars could not move until the power unit warmed up and the required temperature was reached, and the process was carried out on idling.

In order to go on a trip by car after a long parking, it is advisable to let the engine idle for 1 - 2 minutes. Manufacturers foreign cars we are sure that it is desirable to warm up on the go, but how to explain such advice?

1. High level of environmental protection. Heating operation will result in exhaust gases, which will have a significant amount of harmful substances.
2. Idle operation involves a significant amount of fuel consumption.
3. There is a risk of rapid ignition of the air-fuel mixture, as a result of which the engine may be contaminated. If the engine is warmed up while the vehicle is moving, it can successfully heat up to the desired temperature.

If you decide to heat the car while driving, you need to remember important nuances.

How to warm up a car while driving?

1. IN without fail use synthetic oil High Quality. Choose products from high index viscosity. Only correct oil will allow you to successfully and without risks warm up the vehicle at the very beginning of the movement.
2. Smooth movement is a must. Try to avoid any jerks. The motor can warm up to a minimum temperature of +400 degrees in a short period of time. You can drive out of the garage or parking lot at minimum speed, ensuring stable work engine. Avoid sudden movements, as only in this case you can count on the successful achievement of the desired results.
3. Be aware that vehicles with carburetor engine, you can not warm up on the go. normal operation the power unit can only be reached at a certain temperature, but in this case, first of all, it is necessary to adjust the number of revolutions. In a couple of minutes you will be able to successfully and without unnecessary risks move by car. The most important thing is the serviceability of the carburetor engine.

How should a diesel engine be warmed up?

Every motorist knows that diesel engine it is more difficult to start in frost, as this is due to the peculiarity of ignition diesel fuel, which acquires an increased viscosity and cannot be successfully sprayed by nozzles. You must use winter diesel fuel, available down to -30 degrees, or arctic, capable of showing itself even in the conditions of an extreme server. Summer fuel cannot be used in winter.

For a successful ride, you need to use additional preheaters, which greatly simplifies the process of starting a car engine. It is important to note that this advice perfect for any motor.

How to warm up an injection engine?

In most cases, cars with injection engines have an automatic warm-up that can successfully set idle speed, but it is advisable to remember certain nuances.

1. You must achieve a good spark.
2. Make sure you have enough fuel to start the battery successfully.
3. You must turn on the headlights for 20 - 30 seconds, warming up the battery electrolyte.
4. Turn off additional electrical appliances, depress the clutch if you have a manual transmission, and then start the engine.
5. Do not step on the gas pedal, as the automatic starter will adjust the throttle correctly.
6. After the engine starts, gently release the clutch pedal.

Do you warm up the automatic transmission?

The automatic transmission can be warmed up, but remember that its condition, first of all, depends on the correct selection of oil and filter. What is the procedure for starting the car?

1. Hit the brake.
2. Turn on D for 15 - 20 seconds
3. Press N for 5 - 10 seconds.
4. Press R for 15 - 20 seconds.

Do this pattern 5 times.

Remember: correct start car in the cold season will protect the vehicle from all kinds of malfunctions.

Video: is it necessary to warm up the car in winter

If you chop wood yourself, they will warm you twice...folk wisdom

How to warm up the car in winter? I immediately see the skeptical smirks of those who do not understand at all what is at stake. Why warm it up at all - I sat down and drove off. And all sorts of warm-ups, expectations and other waste of time are echoes of a distant era, to which modern man does not care.

Those who agree with this may not read our material. Because the author, a professional engine engineer with experience, categorically disagrees with this. And he knows perfectly well: no fundamental differences between the motors of the present century and the past century there is no! No matter what the managers on the catwalks say, rings and pistons still work even in the most modern internal combustion engines. At the same time, all parts of the motor warm up in different ways! For example, the bottom of the piston heats up very quickly, but the groove area is much slower. Well ? In short, the answer is: nothing good. However, we have already written about this in more detail.

As for the statements of managers who convince naive buyers that there is no need to heat anything, they are not at all concerned about our well-being, but about environmental requirements. And all these Euro-5 impose serious restrictions on toxic components emitted outside in launch modes. However, we have repeatedly described all this, and therefore we return to the original question: how to warm up the engine?

In short, the answer is: as fast as possible! winter riding in any case, it wears out the car much more than operation in warm conditions. TV commentators and other "experts" are very fond of equating one cold start engine to hundreds of kilometers of car run somewhere in the Canary Islands. We note immediately that no one knows the exact numbers. The main thing is that the transmission and suspension wear out faster - all rubber parts suffer. The characteristics of the shock absorbers are deteriorating - accordingly, the body experiences great stresses on uneven roads. Meanwhile, the mastics that seal the seams of the body, hardened by frost, are also prone to cracking.

In short, the first thing we start the engine. If you have a remote start system, then everything is simple (although it is much easier to steal such a car). If there is no such system on your car, then you will first have to get into the cabin, and this can be difficult. You may need a snow brush - bring it from home! By the way, one of our readers suggested storing it in a wheel well - on a wheel.

We clean only driver's door and her pen. If the door is frozen along the contour of the seal and does not give in, then we first try to press it against the opening more strongly. Having done this several times, we try to open it again. Sometimes spraying glass defroster along the contour of the door helps. The driver's door does not open - we try to open others. But we do not recommend watering the car from a kettle - it may end up with glass cracking or, even more fun, this water will also eventually freeze.

Finally, we are on driving position.

Immediately make sure that the wiper switch is in the off position.

First of all, turn on the heating rear window and mirrors. Windshield not all cars are heated, so we turn on the heater motor for low speed. Heating - full, the direction of air flow - "everything on the glass." It is useful to turn on other heaters, such as the steering wheel, wiper parking area, seats. The fact is that a large electrical load on the generator will lead to the fact that the engine will have to work not quite at idle, but to be a kind of motor-generator. Load more - faster and warming up. If the car is covered with snow, then the time required to clean it will be sufficient to warm it up.

But if there were no snowfalls during the period from your last trip, then what would you do with the benefit of warming up the car? Don't forget to check if the wipers are frozen to the windshield.

Further, sitting in the driver's seat, you can slightly stimulate the engine warm-up. By turning the steering wheel left and right, you will disperse the fluid in the power steering system. And if you have an electric booster, then the increased load on the engine through the generator will also accelerate its warm-up. WITH mechanical box gears you can’t do anything, but for a quick warm-up of both the engine and the machine, it’s useful to move the gear selector to positions D and R with the brake pedal pressed. A few minutes - and you can move on. But…

But at the same time, you should not immediately tear from the spot: this is harmful to the motor. The only situation that somehow justifies such actions can arise if the place where you parked the car for the night is snow blower or good janitors surrounded by a shaft of snow. That's when I advise you to warm up the engine a little longer, because it will not be possible to escape from the snow trap with small forces - you need "horses"!

The first few kilometers should not show the neighbors downstream the power and agility of your car. After all, if the engine and gearbox have warmed up a little, then the rubber suspension elements, shock absorbers and bodywork have a hard time on uneven roads. However, intuitively, all this is quite understandable: imagine that you have just woken up, and you are forced to run a hundred meters in the cold. The car behaves the same way. And only after some adaptation, it will finally wake up and be able to adequately respond to your commands.

In general, good luck to you on a warm car! Only, of course, you don’t need to rumble under the neighbor’s windows for too long.

TO winter season each car owner should prepare a car thoroughly - replace technical fluids, maintain the battery, ensure the availability of funds that can without outside help. In addition, the car should not only be prepared for the winter, but also properly exploited.

One of important issues regarding the operation of a car in the winter - is it worth warming up the engine before a trip or is it better not to do this? There is a lot of controversy around this action, and each of the parties indicates their facts regarding warming up. Let's try to understand this issue and for this we should consider a number of factors, namely:

1. Toxicity.
2. Fuel consumption.
3. Structural features.

Let's start with the first point to understand why it was previously indicated that the car should be warmed up, but now this is no longer necessary. All due to the fact that the EURO toxicity standards have long been introduced, which are becoming more and more stringent and automakers cannot get away from them.

Why is it not necessary to warm up?

Now let's figure out what these standards have to do with engine warm-up. And here the work of such systems affects:

• nutrition;
• exhaust gases.

All modern cars are equipped with a fully controlled electronic unit. While the engine is cold, the conditions for mixture formation are not met, since the cold one evaporates very poorly and mixes with air. To compensate for this phenomenon, the ECU enriches the mixture. At the same time, part of the fuel that has entered the cylinders does not burn out, but exits with exhaust gases. As a result, the amount of harmful substances in gases is significantly overestimated.

And in order to normalize mixture formation, it is necessary that the motor reaches the required temperature regime as quickly as possible, and this is possible only when a load is placed on it. Hence the recommendation about the uselessness of warming up. After all, if you warm up the engine at idle, the temperature set will be slow and can take from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on various conditions, and all this time traffic fumes will contain an increased amount of harmful substances. Having started the movement without warming up, the engine will warm up in 3-5 minutes, which means that there will be less emissions into the atmosphere.

Now for the exhaust system. To increase the environmental friendliness of cars, they began to install on them, which, due to chemical reactions, can split harmful substances to environmentally friendly components. That's just effective work The catalyst is performed at high temperatures (over 300 degrees C). That is, in order for this unit to work, you need to heat it up and for this, exhaust gases are used (electric heating elements are also used in the design of modern converters).

So, when the engine is idling, the temperature of the exhaust gases is insufficient to fully warm up the catalyst, even if power point warm up completely. To do this, the motor must be running under load.

These factors are the main ones in the argument of car manufacturers about the uselessness of warming up. They are set a strict framework for environmental friendliness, therefore, in the operating rules, they often indicate that engine warm-up is not required. In pursuit of compliance with environmental standards, automakers "sacrifice" the power plant, which, in general, is also "on hand" for them. After all, what faster car breaks, the sooner it will be replaced.

Now about fuel consumption. The operation of the power supply system described above also affects here. As already noted, while the fuel is cold and evaporates poorly, it is fed into the cylinders more. When the car warms up at idle, the engine will gradually gain temperature, and because of this, the fuel supplied to the cylinders will also warm up for a long time to a temperature that will ensure good evaporation. At the beginning of the movement without warming up, the engine warms up faster, which means that the mixture formation is normalized earlier.

Video: DO YOU NEED TO WARM THE ENGINE

What are the benefits of warming up?

And now about why it is recommended to warm the motor. With minus indicators on the street after long-term parking lubricant fluidity is greatly reduced. Because of this, the pump cannot supply it in the right amount to the rubbing surfaces, and some of them are located at the top of the motor. And if at this time a load is created on the engine, it turns out that the mechanisms work “dry”, and this leads to increased wear and tear, and first of all, the CPG, CV and timing “suffer”, that is, the most basic components of the power plant.

In addition, while it is thick and its fluidity is reduced, it will be more difficult for the pump to push it through the system, that is, the pressure in the system will be increased, and than more load- the higher the pressure. In this case, there is a bypass valve in the design. When a certain pressure rises, it opens and oil goes into the system without passing through the filter element, that is, it gets to the rubbing surfaces uncleaned, which also has a negative effect on the motor. Therefore, when warming up, the probability of overpressure in the system is much lower than when creating a load.

According to this factor, we can definitely say that warming up is needed, and some even recommend doing it in the summer. But when it’s warm outside, you don’t have to wait until the power plant reaches the required temperature, just let it run for 1-3 minutes before starting to move, so that the pump can drive the lubricant through the system, providing rubbing surfaces with lubricant.

Video: To warm or not to warm the engine Answer Driving

To warm or not to warm?

Let's sum up a little on the basis of these three factors. So, if the engine is fully warmed up at low speeds until it reaches the optimum temperature regime, then:

• wear of engine components and mechanisms will be minimally possible, which will affect its resource and the motor will work more before overhaul;
• harmful emissions into the atmosphere will be quite a lot due to long work power unit on an enriched mixture and idle due to insufficient temperature catalytic converter;
• more fuel is consumed.

As for the refusal to warm up, everything is exactly the opposite here - there is less pollution and fuel consumption, but wear is greater and, as a result, the engine resource will decrease.

Something else useful for you:

What to do?

To warm up a car before a trip or not to warm up is up to the car owners themselves. In both cases, there are positive and negative sides. But there is a third option - an intermediate one. That is, we warm up the car, but not for long - 5-6 minutes, after which we start moving. As a result, we get:

1. The oil will still be thick, but the pump will ensure its flow to the rubbing surfaces.
2. The catalyst will warm up a little, but with the start of movement it will quickly reach the desired temperature.
3. Under load, the engine warms up faster and mixture formation stabilizes.

That is, a short warm-up followed by the start of movement provides the most optimal conditions for the engine, minimizing all the negative aspects of each of the factors considered.

But using this method of warming up the car, it is still not recommended to immediately after the start of movement to give a strong load on the motor. Although this will make a quick exit to the optimum temperature, it will provide increased wear(The oil is still thick and does not fully perform its functions). Therefore, starting to move, you should drive a couple of kilometers almost at idle (30-40 km / h) and without strong and sharp impacts on the gas pedal.

Russian climatic conditions are such that drivers have to operate the car not only in summer, but also in winter, when the temperature drops well below zero. In winter, it is recommended to warm up the car engine before driving. But is it really necessary to modern cars? If so, how to properly warm up the car in winter.

Why did the question arose about the expediency of warming up? The reason is that in the operating instructions of modern cars you can often find information that an engine with a fuel injection system does not need to warm up. As a result of this, the car owner is faced with the question of whether it is necessary to warm up injection engine winter or is it just a relic of the past. The problem really exists, so we will tell you about the various aspects of this issue.

What is the danger of driving on a cold engine?

The vehicle instruction manual is created one for different markets. Accordingly, the manufacturer does not always take into account the climatic conditions of a particular country or region. Failure to warm up the car before driving leads to premature wear engine components and this is no longer a secret. Let's analyze in more detail why it should be done?

Engine oil

All drivers understand how important it is to change engine oil regularly. Without high-quality lubrication, the engine will not be able to work for a long time and without fail. After the driver turns off the engine, the oil gradually enters the sump, and a minimal film remains on the engine components. The more time the motor is not used, the smaller this layer of lubricant will be.

In the summer, when it is warm outside, engine oil quickly disperses through the channels and provides high-quality engine lubrication. It takes no more than 30-45 seconds. In this regard, we advise you to warm up the car not only in winter, but also in summer. True, in the summer 30-60 seconds are enough for this. But in cold weather, after a long period of inactivity, the oil thickens, which is why it is not able to lubricate the parts of the power unit with high quality immediately after it is started.

Piston rings

Piston rings are located in special slots on the outer surfaces of the pistons. They are in constant contact with the surface of the engine cylinders and are subjected to significant loads. The cylinder block is made of metal, so when cooled, the cylinders narrow.

On a cold engine, the cylinders are more tightly clamped piston rings, as a result of which, immediately after starting the motor, it is very difficult for them to move in a vertical plane. But as the metal heats up, the metal expands, and the oil supply is also provided, as a result of which the process is less painful. Warming up the engine makes it easier for the pistons to work.

Oil filter

The filter is a metal part with a filter element inside. liquid oil passes through it without much difficulty, leaving dirt particles behind. But if the oil is cold, it is already much more difficult for it to pass through the filter, as a result of which it may block and open bypass valve. In this case, the oil supply to the engine occurs without pre-filtering.

The closing of this valve occurs only after the oil has heated up to a certain temperature and can pass through the filter. Accordingly, all this negatively affects the operational life of the motor, because more dirt gets into it.

Hydraulic tensioner and hydraulic compensators

These elements are necessary for the optimal functioning of the valves, as well as adjusting the chain tension. For this, oil is supplied to them. Cold oil is not pumped very efficiently because it is still thick. Probably, you have heard more than once how the valves knock on the cold.

Oil pressure sensor

In many cars, oil pressure sensors are made of plastic. Previously, they were always made entirely of metal. Sensors that are partially made of plastic are sometimes squeezed out, as a result of which the indicator on the instrument panel lights up low pressure oils. Also, engine oil may drip from under the sensor. In general, the situation is very unpleasant. Reviews indicate that this really happens in winter, but the problem is solved by simply warming up the engine.

In other words, if you do not warm up the engine, the probability of a breakdown of one of its nodes increases significantly. Even if nothing happens, the life of the motor will definitely be reduced.

The point of view of automakers, ecology and Russian realities

Experts note that movement on cold power unit can significantly increase the risk of damage or breakage of its elements. Why do automakers write that it is not necessary to warm up a car engine in winter? They imply long warm-up, which leads to an increase in fuel consumption, and also negatively affects the environment. In fact, this is due to the fact that to reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Most European countries it is forbidden to stand for a long time with the engine idling in settlements. Accordingly, the question of whether it is necessary to warm up the engine in winter before a trip is not worth it at all. But in the CIS countries, the approach is completely different - environmental regulations we have lower ones, and the service life of the engine is of great importance, because the cost of the machine, its maintenance and repair can hardly be called affordable. And the climatic conditions in Europe differ significantly from those in Russia.

How much to warm up the car in winter and summer

Warming up the car in cold weather is very important if you want to run the engine long enough. The warm-up time depends on the outside air temperature:

• from +10°C and above - it is recommended to warm up the engine for a maximum of 2-3 minutes;
• from -10°C to +10°C - it is advisable to warm up the motor for about 5-7 minutes;
• from -10°C to -30°C - a 10-minute warm-up is enough;
• from -30°C and below - it will take about 10-15 minutes to warm up the oil.

How to properly warm up the car in winter - basic steps

Stages of cold start of the power unit:

1. First, it is recommended to warm up the electrolyte in the battery by turning on high beam for about 10-15 seconds.
2. Turn off your high beam headlights and wait about half a minute.
3. Depress the clutch pedal (if you have a car with a manual transmission), which will remove the load from the gearbox and start the engine. It is recommended to release the pedal only after 2-3 minutes.
4. If the engine start was unsuccessful, a second attempt should be made only after two minutes, so that the battery has time to recover. If several attempts have not led to success, you need to look for a breakdown.
5. After starting the engine, turn on the interior heater.
6. For the first few kilometers after the start of the movement, it is not recommended to accelerate over 40-50 km / h, since the engine has not yet reached operating temperature.

Warm-up pros and cons

Accept final decision about whether it is necessary to warm up the car in winter, a list of the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure will help.

Advantages:

• It's comfortable. Getting into a cold cabin and driving for several kilometers in it is not the most pleasant feeling.
• Stable operation of the power unit.
• Optimal engine oil thickness and extended engine life.

Flaws:

• Increase in harmful emissions.
• Extra fuel costs.