Cold weather idling of your vehicle is a lot of money for a bit of creature comfort.
Cold Weather Idling Gets You Nowhere | Winter Driving Smart
Closed Caption
Introduction
Hi there smart drivers, Rick with Smart Drive Test talking to you today about cold weather starts.
You don't need to idle your vehicle for a long period of time before you take off.
Yes the auto parts stores and other places are all advertising remote car starters so that you can warm up your car be nice and toasty warm! Really all you're doing is spending a lot of money on fuel for a bit of creature comfort there.
You can basically fire it up, wait 30 seconds for the oil pressure to come up, and then take off and drive it.
Today we're going to give you a bit more information about that.
We'll be right back with that - stick around!
[OPENING CREDITS & MUSIC]
Hi there smart drivers, Rick with Smart Drive Test talking to you today about cold weather starts.
Just hang on a sec, I'm gonna shut this idling vehicle off.
There's nothing that drives me more crazy than wasting fuel on an idling vehicle - gets you nowhere.
[MOVES & SHUTS THE VEHICLE OFF] That's better.
You don't need to idle your vehicle in the wintertime for excessive periods of time before you take off.
Actually your vehicle will get better fuel mileage if you drive it moderately, after you wait about 30 seconds after you fire it up.
Actually if there's snow and ice on your vehicle, by the time you fire it up, clean the snow and ice off the vehicle, it's ready to go.
And you'll get better fuel mileage and actually the vehicle will heat up faster and more quickly if you drive it moderately, then to let it sit there and idle.
And actually it's hard on your engine - as well, it builds up carbon and other deposits inside of the engine.
So just fire it up and take off.
And actually here in the owner's manual it says that you're supposed to do exactly that.
Reading from the Owner's Manual
"A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine.
It is not necessary to warm up a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time.
You can drive away in about a minute, no matter how cold it is outside.
The engine will warm up faster and you get better fuel economy.
To cut down on the number of 'cold starts,' try to combine several short trips into one."
Not Since the Advent Fuel Injection
This vehicle behind me here is 18 years old, and this vehicle says exactly that.
So if you're driving a newer vehicle it's going to be even more important that you fire it up and start to drive it as soon as you get the windows cleaned off and ready to go.
Defrost Windows Faster
And to help the windows defrost in the winter time, roll the windows down a little bit and that will assist with the defrost.
And as well, most vehicles in the wintertime--when you turn the defrost on high--the air conditioning will come on as well, because the air-conditioning helps to dry out the air.
Question for my smart drivers:
Do you let your vehicle idle for long periods of time during the cold weather before you start to drive it?
Leave a comment down in the comment section there, tell us why you leave your vehicle idling for a long period of time.
Actually I'm sure this is going to create some discussion because this is not a topic that lends itself to people being kind of in that gray area.
They're kind of passionate on one side of the debate or the other, so leave us a comment - let's talk about it.
I'm Rick with Smart Drive Test, thanks very much for watching.
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Check out all the videos here - check out my website - good information over there.
As well if you're embarking on a license or working towards becoming a truck or bus driver.
Lots of great information here on the channel - make sure you check out all these great videos.
Thanks again for watching.
Good luck on your road test and remember, pick the best answer, not necessarily the right answer.
Have a great day.
Bye now.
