This is Exactly How Long You Should Warm Up Your Car Engine In Winter

How Long to Warm Engine?

It was 15 degrees this morning. 15 DEGREES!

Want to know if you really need to warm up the car engine before driving, even during the cold winter months?

Do you find yourself cranking up the heat, sipping hot cocoa, and waiting for your car to warm up in the winter? Well, hold onto your mittens because it turns out, we might be warming up our engines a bit too much.

There you are, bundled up like an Eskimo, staring at your car like you're about to embark on a freezing expedition. But here's the plot twist – modern cars don't need the warm-up marathon we put them through.

Engines these days are tougher than Elsa from "Frozen". They're ready to roll, no matter how cold it gets. So, why do we persist in this morning ritual that feels longer than waiting for a pizza delivery?

Blame it on tradition or the fear that your car might turn into an ice sculpture.

It's like forcing your car to do a never-ending plank – it's just unnecessary.

So, the next time you catch yourself in a winter warm-up trance, think of your car as a finely tuned machine. Skip the lengthy idling, save some fuel, and embrace the brisk adventure that awaits. Your car will thank you, and you might just make it to work before your coffee gets cold.

AAA agrees.

"Myth: To improve performance, particularly in cold weather, allow the engine to run for a few minutes before driving.

"Fact: Start the engine and allow it to idle only for the time it takes you to fasten your seat belt. This ensures that lubricating oil gets to all of the engine's vital parts. Driving the car normally and avoiding hard acceleration brings the engine to a warmer temperature faster, and also reduces wear and exhaust emissions. Naturally, a little longer idle time is ok in winter while you clear snow and ice from the windshield and other car parts."

Last weekend's massive snow storm that dumped up to 18 inches of the white stuff in a few Massachusetts towns was a good reminder that you should be prepared for the big one. That's why we have put together the 5 Essential Things You Should Have In Your Car To Survive A Nor'Easter.

We were lucky that the storm took place on Saturday and Sunday as opposed to a weekday event that would have potentially caught people commuting in their cars. If you are old enough to remember the Blizzard of 1978, then you know how huge it was and it caught a lot of people by surprise.

Sure back in '78 the meteorological world was not as advanced as today. There was only one local weatherman back then that had a good read on what was going to happen. His name? Harvey Leonard, the living legend. He was certain that it would be a snow event like no other and was spot on.

Vehicles were stuck and stranded on Routes 128, 93, 95 and dozens of other highways and byways. People were trapped in their cars, some for days and sadly there were those that lost their lives.

Of course weather forecasting has come a long way since then. There was no such thing as Doppler Radar Weather that all of our local television station use and there's been so much help from computer models. The chances of being caught by surprise are a lot less now.

If in the unlikely event that you do get caught in a major snow storm and are unable to move your car you have to be prepared for what could be a very scary situation. Experts have told us what we should always have in our car (or trunk) to be able to handle being stranded. They are all common sense items but, we have a tendency to either forget or take it too lightly.

We should have a mini first aid kit in our vehicles regardless of the season. It's smart and a very non expensive item to keep handy. You can grab one in most big stores or places like CVS and Walmart. You can also find good kits online. Leave it in your trunk and you will be ready if needed.

These tools are small and easy to keep around. I personally keep one in my glove compartment at all times. I can't say how many times I have used it over the years for things you wouldn't imagine. They are reasonably priced and you don't need a brand name or something too fancy. You want one with a knife, scissors, file and even a corkscew.

If you're stuck in your car in a blizzard you will not be able to continue running it because you want to preserve as much fuel as you can. A nice thick blanket will help do the trick. Get a qood quality blanket that you can wrap around yourself and keep that precious heat in. You can store in the backseat or the trunk.

Every vehicle needs a good flashlight, don't rely on your phone's you want a strong halogen type that can light up the night in case you're trapped after dark. Plus you will want to preserve your phone's battery for communication reasons.

Number one is the good old fashioned snow shovel. You can pick up a small handle snow shovel in most automotive stores that can be placed in the trunk and left there. A good shovel might be just what you need to dig yourself out of trouble.