How to Warm Up Your Car Faster (and Smarter) During a Southern Illinois Cold Snap
- Nicole Miskelley
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
When Southern Illinois hits a deep freeze, getting into your car can feel like stepping into a walk-in freezer—except louder, darker, and somehow more judgmental.
At PMR Automotive, we get this question every winter - “What’s the fastest way to warm up my car?”
Good news: you can warm your car efficiently without letting it idle forever, spending money on extra fuel, or risking long-term wear. Let’s break down what actually works—and what’s just an old winter myth.
First: Do You Even Need to “Warm Up” Your Car?
Short answer: Yes—but not like you used to.
Modern fuel-injected vehicles don’t need 10–15 minutes of idling like cars did decades ago. In fact, excessive idling wastes fuel, creates more engine wear, and delays warming important components!
So, how long should you actually let your car warm up? About 30–60 seconds after starting—just enough time for oil to circulate. After that, gentle driving warms your engine faster and more evenly than sitting still.
The Fastest, Safest Way to Warm Your Car
1. Start the Car & Wait 30–60 Seconds
This lets oil reach critical engine components, especially important during sub-freezing temps.
🚫 Revving the engine does not help.
🚫 Letting it idle forever does not help.
2. Start Driving—Gently
Light driving warms the engine, the transmission, and your coolant (which is how your heater gets...well...heat)
Key rule: Avoid hard acceleration or high RPMs until the temperature gauge starts to move - take off gently and take your time.
3. Set the Heater Correctly (This One Matters)
If you want warm air faster:
Turn the fan on low at first
Select heat, not max defrost immediately
Why? Blasting the fan too early pulls heat away from the engine before it’s ready. Once the engine warms a bit, then turn the fan higher.
How to Get Heat Faster Inside the Cabin
Use Recirculation (After It Warms Up)
Once warm air starts coming through, switch to recirculate. This keeps warm cabin air inside instead of pulling in icy outside air.
⚠️ Don’t use recirculate right away if your windows are fogging—it can make visibility worse.
Clear Ice the Smart Way
Scrape windows before driving
Use defrost once the engine starts warming
Never pour hot water on frozen glass (it can crack instantly)
Common Winter Warm-Up Myths (Let’s Clear These Up)
❌ “Idling Longer Is Better”
Nope. Gentle driving warms your car faster and more safely when it comes to modern, fuel-injected vehicles.
❌ “Remote Start Means the Car Is Fully Warm”
It makes the cabin nicer—but the drivetrain still warms best when driven. Gentle driving is ideal to warm your essential components.
❌ “If There’s No Heat, That’s Normal in Winter”
It’s not. Weak, delayed, or no heat can point to:
Low coolant
Thermostat issues
Heater core problems
Blend door issues
or a host of other things!
When Your Car Takes Too Long to Warm Up
If your car:
Never really gets warm
Takes 20+ minutes to blow hot air
Loses heat while driving
…it’s not just annoying—it’s a sign something isn’t right.
Common causes we see during cold snaps around Marion include:
Stuck-open thermostats
Cooling leaks and/or clogs
Poor or underperforming coolant
These problems don’t fix themselves—and they often get worse the colder it gets.
Extra Cold-Weather Tips That Actually Help
Park in a garage or out of the wind when possible
Keep your gas tank at least half full
Make sure your battery is tested (cold kills weak batteries fast)
Replace cabin air filters—yes, they affect heater performance
Stay Warm Without Beating Up Your Car
You don’t have to choose between comfort and vehicle health. A smart warm-up routine keeps:
Your engine happier
Your heater working properly
Your fuel costs lower
And if your car just isn’t warming up like it should, that’s where we come in.
📍 PMR Automotive – 900 E Deyoung St, Marion, IL
📞 618-998-9010
We’ll make sure your vehicle is ready to handle Southern Illinois winters—without you freezing in the driver’s seat.
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