Actually, modern car engines no longer need to be warmed up for a long time before being driven. Especially if the engine is left running for a long time, it wastes fuel and causes pollution. 

However, if the car is often left idle at home, warming up the engine is still allowed. Here's how to warm up a car engine properly.

1. No Need to Warm Up for Long

Every car has different engine technology, so the warming-up time also varies. For example, cars with fuel-injected engines only need to be warmed up for about 5 minutes and at least twice a week.

If you want to drive immediately? Just start the engine, wait for the indicator on the instrument panel to show it’s safe, then go!

2. Make Sure the Handbrake Is Engaged

This is extremely important to prevent the car from suddenly rolling away, especially if the garage is sloped or tilted. Make sure the handbrake is engaged!

3. Set the Transmission Lever Position

For automatic cars, make sure the transmission lever is in the P (Park) position when warming up the engine. For manual cars, make sure it’s in the N (Neutral) position. This prevents the car from moving when the engine is started.

4. Warm Up in an Open Area

If warming up the engine in a garage, open the door to ensure proper air circulation. Remember, vehicle exhaust fumes are extremely dangerous, as carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless but deadly. Also ensure that doors or windows are tightly closed to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the house.

5. Check the Instrument Panel Indicators

Before departing, check the indicators on the instrument panel. If any lights are constantly on or flashing even though the engine is running, it indicates a problem. Take it to a workshop immediately for further inspection.

6. Do Not Play with the Gas Pedal

Let the engine run at idle speed; do not press the gas pedal. Why? Because the oil has not fully lubricated the engine, so forcing it to accelerate can cause engine components to wear out quickly. Additionally, it consumes more fuel and produces more pollution.

7. Check Vehicle Components

Once the engine is running normally, check several components such as the AC, lights, brakes, turn signals, hazard lights, and radio. This is important to ensure everything is functioning properly.

8. Drive the Car If It Has Been Idle for Too Long

Car tires will develop flat spots or become flat on the contact points if left idle for too long. A flat spot is a condition where the tire surface becomes uneven and tends to be flat due to continuous contact with the ground.

In fact, the negative impact is that the tires can crack and become highly prone to bursting when the car is used again. At least once every two weeks, drive the car around the area near your home for 15 minutes to prevent this.

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Sebenarnya, mesin mobil modern sudah nggak perlu lagi dipanaskan lama-lama sebelum dipakai jalan. Apalagi kalau mesinnya didiamkan hidup lama, malah buang-buang bahan bakar dan bikin polusi. 

Tapi kalau mobil sering nganggur di rumah, memanaskan mesin tetap boleh dilakukan. Nah, berikut cara memanaskan mesin mobil yang benar.

1. Tak Perlu Lama

Setiap mobil punya teknologi mesin yang beda-beda, jadi waktu memanaskannya juga nggak sama. Mobil yang sudah pakai mesin injeksi misalnya, cukup dipanaskan sekitar 5 menit saja dan minimal dua kali seminggu.

Kalau mau langsung jalan? Cukup nyalakan mesin, tunggu indikator di panel instrumen aman, lalu gas!

2. Pastikan Rem Tangan Aktif

Ini penting banget supaya mobil nggak meluncur tiba-tiba, apalagi kalau garasi rumah menurun atau posisinya miring. Pastikan rem tangan aktif ya!

3. Atur Posisi Tuas Transmisi

Untuk mobil matik, pastikan tuas transmisi di posisi P (Parkir) saat memanaskan mesin. Sementara untuk mobil manual, pastikan di posisi N (Netral). Ini agar mobil nggak bergerak waktu mesin dihidupkan.

4. Panaskan di Tempat Terbuka

Kalau memanaskan mesin di garasi, buka pintunya biar sirkulasi udara lancar. Ingat, gas buang mobil itu bahaya banget, karena karbon monoksida nggak kelihatan dan nggak berbau, tapi mematikan. Pastikan juga pintu atau jendela rumah tertutup rapat supaya gas buang nggak masuk ke rumah.

5. Cek Indikator Panel Instrumen

Sebelum berangkat, cek indikator di panel instrumen. Kalau ada lampu yang nyala terus atau berkedip-kedip padahal mesin sudah hidup, itu tandanya ada masalah. Langsung bawa ke bengkel biar dicek lebih lanjut.

6. Tidak Memainkan Pedal Gas

Biarkan mesin bekerja di putaran idle aja, jangan memainkan pedal gas. Kenapa? Karena oli belum sepenuhnya melumasi mesin, jadi kalau dipaksa gas, malah bisa bikin komponen mesin cepat aus. Selain itu, lebih boros bahan bakar dan polusi juga lebih banyak.

7. Cek Perangkat Mobil

Kalau mesin sudah normal, cek beberapa perangkat seperti AC, lampu, rem, sein, hazard, dan radio. Ini penting untuk memastikan semua masih berfungsi dengan baik.

8. Jalankan Mobil Jika Terlalu Lama Nganggur

Ban mobil akan mengalami flat spot atau rata di bagian yang menjadi titik tumpu kalau didiamkan terlalu lama. Flat spot adalah kondisi permukaan ban yang tidak rata dan cenderung datar karena terus menerus menjadi titik tumpu mobil.

Bahkan, dampak buruknya adalah ban bisa retak dan rentan sekali meletus ketika mobil kembali digunakan. Minimal dua minggu sekali mobil dikendarai keliling area sekitar rumah selama 15 menit untuk mencegahnya.