What is the danger of driving with a cold engine?
- October 11, 2022
- 0
The era of used and highly used cars has suddenly returned to Russian open spaces, so the carefree lucky ones who did not know the problems before must
The era of used and highly used cars has suddenly returned to Russian open spaces, so the carefree lucky ones who did not know the problems before must learn materially. It’s worth starting with the basics: the engine needs to be warmed up, the environment is not about us. But what if the engine parts and working fluids do not reach operating temperature in any way? Is it possible to go? The AvtoVzglyad portal answers these and other questions.
The rules for driving a car with a gasoline combustion engine have changed significantly over the past ten years. We were constantly told that there is no need to heat, there is no need to check the oil and even tire pressure cannot be checked because now the sensor is responsible for this. Basically, put the key in the lock and get started.
Of course, such an approach never had anything to do with reality, but advertising was stronger than logic – as long as it was. By the way, the same can be said about the factory warranty, which many brands – even eminent ones like Mercedes-Benz – simply spat. From now on, the drowning rescue is the work of the drowning itself, meaning it is necessary to remember the old truths tried and tested for decades.
The coolant temperature gauge, conveniently located on the dashboard, gives the driver a big hint when and when the engine can be loaded. The trick is that cursed physics, which no one has yet been able to escape, orders the metal to expand when heated. And the necessary holes in the filling of the engine are achieved at a strictly defined moment. Then and only then can you safely “pull the trigger”.
Obviously, it is not necessary to expect the “arrival” of the arrow in place in a static position: it has come off, it has reached the lower mark on the scale – you can start to move smoothly. Until we crawl out of the yards, the car will fully warm up, go into operating mode. However, this is not always the case: sometimes the combustion engine for some reason does not reach the desired temperature. Colds, breakdowns and other ailments periodically become an obstacle. And what exactly happens to the engine at such moments?
The thermostat – a mechanical valve of the simplest design – waits for the coolant temperature to reach the desired level to switch the flow of liquid from a small cooling circle to a large one. Electronics – well, you can already forget about the carburetor – forces the engine to maintain the increased speed exactly until this moment: it warms up, the holes have not reached the factory parameters. Sensors, which are even on the classic Zhiguli, show that the engine has not yet reached the required “condition”. And what happens if you stay in such hands for a long time?
First, the driver is waiting for a monstrous fuel consumption: in the warm-up mode, the combustion engine “eats” much more than in the “regular”. Secondly, the stove will slightly “blow” warm air. And thirdly, the load on the engine will increase significantly: it is worth overdoing it with “gas”, and you can expect increased wear on anything and everything – from various belts to pistons and cylinders. Why is this happening? First of all, you need to check the thermostat: the valve starts the coolant in the radiator, so if the hoses are hot and the radiator is not, then this is a sentence.
By removing it, you can diagnose the health of the entire system. Say, if everything inside is clogged with rust and sediment – hello to savings and antifreeze. However, not only coolant, but also engine oil has a direct effect on the engine temperature. And of course it’s overboard again: severe frost and strong winds immediately cool the radiator through which antifreeze flows. Do you remember the countless jokes about the cardboard on the grille? That’s what she needs.
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
Photo: AvtoVzglyad
The rules for driving a car with a gasoline combustion engine have changed significantly over the past ten years. We were constantly told that there is no need to heat, there is no need to check the oil and even tire pressure cannot be checked because now the sensor is responsible for this. Basically, put the key in the lock and get started.
Of course, such an approach never had anything to do with reality, but advertising was stronger than logic – as long as it was. By the way, the same can be said about the factory warranty, which many brands – even eminent ones like Mercedes-Benz – simply spat. From now on, the drowning rescue is the work of the drowning itself, meaning it is necessary to remember the old truths tried and tested for decades.
The coolant temperature gauge, conveniently located on the dashboard, gives the driver a big hint when and when the engine can be loaded. The trick is that cursed physics, which no one has yet been able to escape, orders the metal to expand when heated. And the necessary holes in the filling of the engine are achieved at a strictly defined moment. Then and only then can you safely “pull the trigger”.
Obviously, it is not necessary to expect the “arrival” of the arrow in place in a static position: it has come off, it has reached the lower mark on the scale – you can start to move smoothly. Until we crawl out of the yards, the car will fully warm up, go into operating mode. However, this is not always the case: sometimes the combustion engine for some reason does not reach the desired temperature. Colds, breakdowns and other ailments periodically become an obstacle. And what exactly happens to the engine at such moments?
The thermostat – a mechanical valve of the simplest design – waits for the coolant temperature to reach the desired level to switch the flow of liquid from a small cooling circle to a large one. Electronics – well, you can already forget about the carburetor – forces the engine to maintain the increased speed exactly until this moment: it warms up, the holes have not reached the factory parameters. Sensors, which are even on the classic Zhiguli, show that the engine has not yet reached the required “condition”. And what happens if you stay in such hands for a long time?
First, the driver is waiting for a monstrous fuel consumption: in the warm-up mode, the combustion engine “eats” much more than in the “regular”. Secondly, the stove will slightly “blow” warm air. And thirdly, the load on the engine will increase significantly: it is worth overdoing it with “gas”, and you can expect increased wear on anything and everything – from various belts to pistons and cylinders. Why is this happening? First of all, you need to check the thermostat: the valve starts the coolant in the radiator, so if the hoses are hot and the radiator is not, then this is a sentence.
By removing it, you can diagnose the health of the entire system. Say, if everything inside is clogged with rust and sediment – hello to savings and antifreeze. However, not only coolant, but also engine oil has a direct effect on the engine temperature. And of course it’s overboard again: severe frost and strong winds immediately cool the radiator through which antifreeze flows. Do you remember the countless jokes about the cardboard on the grille? That’s what she needs.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
