Reason you shouldn't warm your car engine up before driving in cold weather

The winter months can cause many issues for road users with slippery surfaces and restricted vision when rain and snow hit. One of the biggest issues people face is defrosting cars before setting off.

Temperatures have plummeted across the UK this week as snow and icy patches have hit. Strong winds are set to hit large parts of the UK this weekend as the chilly weather continues.

Waking up extra early to do the tedious de-icing job can be the worst possible start to the morning. The first thing you may want to do is start the engine so the car is warm for you to enter.

Automotive enthusiast magazine, Road & Track says leaving the engine running while the vehicle is stationary may not be helping the warm-up period, but instead, prolonging it.

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Different to engines in the past, nowadays engines are fuel injected and a better approach is to drive away immediately without running it beforehand. The car enthusiasts suggest leaving the engine running for a prolonged time before setting off may cause damage to your vehicle.

They said: "While you might have thought that letting your car slowly warm up was reducing wear and tear, all that idling time leads to raw gasoline seeping into the oil" Raw oil can break down the oil's lubrication properties and increase the wear.

Instead, they advise starting up the car making sure all the windows are clear of ice, and snow before driving. The engine will warm up faster and heats will exit the vents quicker.

RAC (car dealership) have also shared why leaving the engine running on a parked car is so harmful. They state: "Idling increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air. These fumes contain a number of harmful gasses including carbon dioxide, which is bad for the environment and contributes towards climate change.

"As well as a range of other harmful gasses including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which are linked to asthma and other lung diseases. Diesel vehicles are thought to be one of the biggest contributors to the problem. "