How to Properly Warm Up Your Car

You probably don’t want to hear this if it’s super cold but the best way to warm up your
car takes less than a minute before you drive off. That means a shivery start if the
aircon doesn’t kick in super fast! Most modern engines are advanced enough that they
more or less do fine from a cold start.

1. Get into your car. Turn the ignition on but don’t start the engine just yet.

2. In 3-5 seconds, you should hear the fuel pump priming the engine. Start the car when this
happens.

3. Idle for about 10-20 seconds at the most.

4. Slowly ease out of your parking spot and ease into driving.

PROCEDURES IN PRE-STARTING
YOUR VEHICLES

10 things To Check Before Starting

Your Car
Your journey is most important, however to make it more convenient it
is important to do some preliminary checks before beginning your
journey. Irrespective if it is a drive to the office and back or on a long
journey. Make sure you check the next 10 things before starting your
car.

1. Nothing is obstructing your car

Make sure there are no stones near the tyres or another car blocking
your way. Your path should be free of obstacles so that you can clear
out driving safely. Remove the stones or the fallen leaves on your
windscreen before you get inside the car.

2. Check the tyres

Make sure you keep a check to look out for a flat tyre. Also regularly
top up the air in your tyres to maintain the optimum pressure. Choose
to do so fortnightly or when refuelling at the gas station. If the tyre is
flat, replace it with the spare and get the flat tyre repaired. Do not ever
drive the car with a flat tyre.
3. Check all fluid levels

You don’t need to check the fluid levels on a daily basis but do so
once every 15 days or at least on a monthly basis. Top off the fluids
whenever necessary.

4. Clean all the glass area

The front and the rear windscreen, ORVMs, rear view mirror all
comprise of the glass area on your car. Make sure that they are
cleaned and the visibility is high at all times. Dust particles may settle
over night, that’s why it is better to wipe the rear view mirrors before
beginning your journey.

5. Adjust the rear view mirrors

Adjust the rear view mirrors for your most optimal view. You should be
able to see the small portion of the rear end of your car along with the
lane next to it on your outside rear view mirrors (ORVM). The cabin
rear view mirror should look through the rear windscreen and should
guide you as to what’s exactly behind you.

6. Adjust your seat

This could be more frequent, if you are not the only driver. Do not
commence your journey unless you are comfortable in the driver’s
seat. you should be able to reach up to the pedals without having to
stretch your legs, while your hands should not lock when holding the
steering wheel. You should also be able to reach to the other controls
of your car when in the driver’s seat.

7. Fasten your seatbelt

If your car has a reminder to fasten your seatbelt, well and good; if
not, you better make a subconscious habit. Irrespective of the
distance to travel, wearing your seatbelt is for your own safety and is
also mandatory by law.

8. Check all the warning lights

If your engine is showing you any warning lights, please do not ignore
it. Adhere to it and check out what the problem is. The check engine
light would mean taking the car to the garage, or the oil warning light
could mean, you are running on old oil and it is time for replacement. If
the car is heating up too often, make sure you top off with coolant
before starting your journey.

Also check if the instrument cluster comprising of the odometer,

speedometer, temperature gauge and fuel gauge are working or not.

9. Check the brakes

Before you set out on your journey, make sure to check the brakes
and see if they have the needed stopping power. If you feel the brakes
are not effective enough, first head to the service shop or get top off
your brake fluid before you begin your journey elsewhere. Ignoring
your brakes can result into a life threatening situation.

10. Check the gears

Do a check to see if all the gears are working well. Check if the gears
are getting stuck or jamming up. This could mean it needs servicing.
Don’t forget to put the gear back in neutral before starting the car.

Follow these steps to have a smooth drive no matter how big or small
the journey is. Keeping in mind these steps will also result in regular
maintenance of your car. If you have any particular checks of your
own apart from these, do let us know in the comments box below.
Do you need to warm up
your car?
Is warming up your car necessary before you can drive off?

Or can you just jump right in, select “D” and zoom away?

We asked Torque‘s resident mechanical engineer, Shreejit Changaroth, and he said no.

But before we get into why warming up your car is unnecessary, let’s look at why people

used to (and still) subscribe to this practice.

Warming up your car used to be necessary

Decades ago, when engine and lubricant technologies weren’t as advanced, warming

up your car or engine was a good idea.

This is because when your engine is at rest, all the engine oil goes back into the oil

sump.

Not much lubrication is left on the moving parts that experience a lot of wear and tear.

Therefore, warming up your car was needed to get the oil circulating and lubricating

again.
This warm-up period also helped the engine oil reach its optimal temperature range,

where it could offer the best protection.

Not just engines needed warming up

In some very old cars, the gearbox needed warming up, too.

Until the heat from the engine could warm the transmission fluid, it was difficult – if not

impossible – to engage certain gears.

3 More Tips for Warming Up Your Car

If you don’t want to be left in the cold while your car idles, you have a few options:

1. Park in the garage. Even without a heater, the enclosed space blocks out ice and wind, maintaining a
higher ambient temperature than an exposed driveway.
2. Warm the engine before you start. An engine block heater is typically installed to pre-heat the engine’s
coolant. Plug the heater in when you park at night and set a timer to turn the heater on 2-4 hours before you
plan to leave the next day. Block heaters can be added as a factory-installed option on many new cars, or
owners can purchase an aftermarket heater.
3. Start from afar. Remote starters use a transponder similar to a standard key fob, allowing you to start your
engine without taking a step outside. The door locks and the security system stays active, which keeps your
car secure as it pre-heats. It’s still best for fuel economy and carbon emissions to keep your idle time to five
minutes or less. Do NOT use this feature when parked in a closed garage, as deadly carbon monoxide can
build up and overwhelm you.

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No matter how you take good care of your vehicle, car problems may suddenly happen while
you’re driving. It may be a flat tire, a busted hose, or a faulty headlight–for sure, these things will
force you to stop and pull over to the side of the road. You should always be prepared for
unexpected car problems that you might encounter by having the right tools inside your car and
one of which is the early warning device (EWD).
Yes, it is required by the law. The Memorandum Circular No. VPT-2012-1609 or the Revised
Rules on the Implementation of the Early Warning Device Requirement states that an EWD
is a mandatory accessory for all motor vehicles, except motorcycles and tricycles. The
memorandum goes on by stating that “a pair of EWD…shall be carried at all times.” So, you
might want to buy an EWD right now if you still don’t have one inside your car.