![New York Residents Urged Not To Warm Up Their Vehicles](https://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2022/12/attachment-Untitled-design-5.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New York Residents Urged Not To Warm Up Their Vehicles
Winter is rough on our vehicles, especially in Upstate New York where it can become exceptionally cold, but if you’re someone who starts up your car to let it warm before zooming off to work in the dark of the morning, you might want to reconsider.
![WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News logo](https://townsquare.media/site/554/files/2023/01/attachment-900.jpg?w=100)
Nobody likes to get behind the wheel of a vehicle so cold inside that a person can see their breath, but car experts say that if you want to prolong the life of your vehicle, that’s pretty much what you should be doing.
It used to be standard to need to start up a vehicle and let it run for a few minutes before taking it to the road in order for the engine to properly warm, but the design of vehicles has come a long way in recent years and this is generally not necessary.
According to Firestone Complete Auto Care, thanks to modern fuel injection systems, you can pop your keys in the ignition or press the start button and be on your way instantaneously.
Firestone also notes that when you start your vehicle and let it idle, you’re not just burning precious (and expensive gas) but you’re minimizing the fuel efficiency of your car.
You might think the engine in your vehicle needs time to get acclimated, but the reality is that your engine will warm up faster when the vehicle is in motion.
If you hate driving a cold car, you’re going to loathe this – the experts at Firestone say that you should layer on warm clothes, making sure to bundle up well, start your vehicle, and be on your way.
If that's still not enough to convince you that it's better to get in and go - check this out Americans are literally throwing $5.9 billion dollars of gas away by letting their vehicles idle instead of just getting on their way.
LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving
See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State
LET'S GO: The most popular historic sites in America
More From WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News
![Fun Fact; It’s Illegal to Cool Down Your Car in New York State](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2023/06/attachment-CAR-COOL-DOWN-COVER-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Are Radar Detectors Illegal In New York?](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2023/03/attachment-Untitled-design-10.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Six Vehicle Modifications That Are Illegal in New York](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2023/03/attachment-Mohawk-Valley-facebook-USE.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did You Know New York Has Specific Vehicle Headlight Rules?](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2023/02/attachment-Untitled-design-40.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is It Legal To Park In Front Of Your Driveway In New York State?](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2022/12/attachment-day-15.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Warming Up Your Car Not Only Illegal in New York, Experts Say It Does More Harm Than Good](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2021/01/RS12518_516411739-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New York Governor to DEC: All Vehicles Must Be Zero Emissions](http://townsquare.media/site/498/files/2022/09/attachment-electric-car.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New York State Motor Vehicle Inspections – What You Need To Know](http://townsquare.media/site/497/files/2022/08/attachment-RS26872_GettyImages-879696186-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WARNING: Strange Man Seen Putting Zip Ties on CNY Woman’s Car](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/06/attachment-Light-Purple-and-White-Fashion-Back-to-Business-Landscape-Banner.jpg?w=980&q=75)