If you’re the type to run your car to warm it up in cold weather, it turns out you don’t really have to, at least not for as long as most of us think.
The folks at AAA, say we should start the engine, let idle for the same time it takes to get your seat belt on and that’s it.
That’s all that’s needed to make sure oil gets to all of the engine's vital parts and driving the car normally will bring the engine to a warmer temperature faster, and less idling will reduce wear and cut emissions – but, if it’s really cold a little longer idle time is okay maybe the same time it takes to clear snow and ice