# Does a car needs to be warmed up in cold weather

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 15, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466 "2008-01-15T18:06:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pakisam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@pakisam](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pakisam)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466/1 "2008-01-15T18:06:30Z")

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I have a '97 Camry with 228k miles. When I start it after it has been sitting for a few hours, the RPM goes up to 1800 and then in about 2-3 minutes comes down to 800-900. It takes longer if its very cold.  
  
 Does it hurt the engine if I start driving before the RPM comes down?

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466/2 "2008-01-15T18:09:43Z")

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We had several posts on this. No, as soon as you start the engine, belt yourself in you are basically ready to go. I suggest running the engine 20-30 seconds to let the oil circulate properly to the valve gear. Take it easy until the temp gage moves up.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466/3 "2008-01-15T18:09:52Z")

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Not if you drive it gently, but it’s even better if you wait the 2 minutes.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/does-a-car-needs-to-be-warmed-up-in-cold-weather/9466/4 "2008-01-15T18:11:44Z")

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The RPM behavior is normal in cold weather. And you may start driving right away, or at least after you take a few seconds to fumble with the seat belt and to adjust the music. This does not harm the engine.