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A friend and I are debating the value of starting the car (petrol) and leaving it running for about 5 minutes before setting off in the morning. My Dad brought me up to do this explaining that it was better for the engine in terms of it being hot, the oil nicely distributed throughout the engine and better performance etc.

Of course this was almost 30 years ago that I was taught this. Is this still the case with modern engines?

Angela

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 30 October 2009

The modern engine does not need the warm up period of the older generation. Cars with fuel injection systems automatically monitor and adjust the air/fuel mixture over a variety of different temperatures.

That's not to say you should over rev the engine when cold, but for normal driving its basically turn the key and go.

A good quality engine oil and oil filter (changed once per year or 10,000kms on average) is very much your best friend in trying to reduce high maintenance costs.

That and a trusted service provider.