Weather related: How long do you let your car warm up?

DEBBIE33CASEY · February 2011

We don't park our cars in the garage and I always start the car before leaving the house. But I never know how long to let it sit before I can go! I tend to start it and go back inside for 10-15 minutes and finish getting ready before going back to the car. I can lock/unlock the car with the keypad on the door and it's right outside our side door so I'm not worried about something stealing my car. But I sometimes feel wasteful that all that gas is being spent for a car just sitting there!

I should've prefaced by saying I live in MN so we get some of the coldest temps in the US and it's a 10 year old car. Is 15 minutes too long? 5 minutes too short? WDYT?

ChicNotGeek · February 2011

I usually do about 10 minutes.

ryry1977 · February 2011

I let mine warm up for 10-15 minutes also. I live in Ohio and it is pretty cold (at least I think so!). I like it nice and warm when I put Cedric in the car.

sevans1975 · February 2011

It depends on how cold it is...usually 10, but when it is really cold, I go 15 at least.

I'm in MN, too.

PregoCC · February 2011

For an older car, I don't think 20 minutes is too bad. My car is a clunker and I'll let it run for 15-20 minutes before I leave work when I'm parked outside. At night I park in our garage, so I only let it run for 5 minutes in the morning.

shoeboxx · February 2011

My car is 7 years old. I start it, then get myself ready for work, about 15 minutes. I'm in Maryland, it gets pretty cold here as well.

C.Mo · February 2011

My DH has a remote start system on his truck. I think it's about $50 to get. You can start your vehicle on your keychain while you're in the house. It's wonderful and has saved us on many occasions.