Here at ACC UK Ltd Independent Volvo & Toyota Car Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire we are often asked
by our customers whether it is ok to let their cars idle in order to warm it up on these cold mornings. Todays’ modern car is built in such a way that
this is no longer necessary. The best way to warm your car up is to drive slowly and gently at the start of your journey. By sitting on the drive idling
all you are doing is wasting money by using unnecessary fuel and reducing the fuel economy.Idling your a car in a garage, even with the garage door
open, is dangerous and exposes the driver to carbon monoxide. If the garage is attached to your house, those fumes can also enter your house. Leaving
your car idling on the drive is also an invitation to the opportunist car thieves. You really are asking for trouble, and it is questionable as to
whether your insurance company will cover you for this act of negligence and stupidity.
The idea of idling to warm up your car before starting your journey dates back to when cars were built with carburetors and chokes. Carburetors did need
to warm up to work well. Without warming up, the carburetor would not necessarily be able to get the right mix of air and fuel in the engine and the
car might stall. During the 1980’s and 1990’s electronic fuel injection was introduced, which uses sensors to supply fuel to the engine and get the
right air and fuel mix. This makes the problem of warming up the car before driving irrelevant, because the sensors monitor and adjust to temperature.
When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it has several negative effects, such as increasing air pollution, wasting fuel and wasting money. Cars that
are constantly left to idle cause excessive wear or even damage to a car’s engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and the exhaust system.
Contrary to popular belief, idling isn’t an effective way to warm up most car engines.
For all your Volvo and Toyota car repair, service and MOT needs then why not contact ACC UK Ltd Independent
Volvo and Toyota Car Servicing, Car Repair and MOT Specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire. We pride ourselves on offering a dealership
service at a fraction of the price. Give us a call and let us quote you happy!
