Amidst the onslaught of new cars with increasingly smart technology, one old habit is still difficult to abandon, namely warming up your car every morning. Although it sounds trivial, many vehicle owners still believe this practice is a necessary step before driving.

However, with the advancement of automotive technology, the way modern car engines work is very different from that of older cars. So, why is the habit of warming up your car still practiced today?

A Legacy of the Carburetor Era

The habit of warming up your car is inseparable from automotive history, especially in the era of carburetor engines. In the past, engines did need to be warmed up so that the mixture of air and gasoline could be ideal. Without warming up, the car could sputter, be difficult to drive, or even stall suddenly.

This habit has been passed down from generation to generation, even though car technology has advanced significantly.

Psychological Factor: For Peace of Mind

In addition to technical factors, there is also a psychological element. Many drivers feel safer and more comfortable if the car has been warmed up first. However, this sense of safety is more of a habit than a necessity for the engine.

Lack of Education About Modern Car Technology

Many car owners do not fully understand how modern car technology works. As a result, old assumptions continue to be used, including the assumption that the engine must be warmed up for a long time to last longer.

So, Do Modern Cars Still Need to Be Warmed Up?

Technically, modern cars no longer need to be warmed up for a long time like older cars. Here are some reasons why:

They Use Electronic Fuel Injection Systems

Most cars today rely on Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). This system automatically regulates the supply of fuel and air according to the engine temperature and environmental conditions. This means that the engine can immediately work optimally without the need for manual warming up.

Engine Oil Circulates Faster

As soon as the engine is started, the oil pump immediately starts working and lubricates the engine components in just a matter of seconds. Just let the car idle for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and the engine is ready to go.

Smarter ECU

Modern cars are equipped with an Engine Control Unit (ECU) that automatically regulates ignition, idle RPM, and fuel supply. Everything is adjusted to the engine's condition, without the need for driver intervention as in the carburetor era.

Designed to be Ready to Drive

Modern car manufacturers design their vehicles to be ready for use in various conditions, including when the engine is cold. In fact, many manuals do not recommend warming up the engine for too long.

Risks of Warming Up the Car for Too Long

Instead of being beneficial, warming up the car for too long can actually have negative effects, such as:

• Increased fuel consumption
• Increased exhaust emissions
• Components such as spark plugs wear out faster
• Less environmentally friendly due to higher CO₂ emissions

Conclusion

Modern cars do not need to be warmed up for long every morning. Just start the engine for 30 seconds to 1 minute while putting on your seat belt and adjusting your seat, steering wheel, and mirrors. After that, drive slowly at the beginning of your trip so that the engine reaches its ideal operating temperature naturally.

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Panaskan Mobil Setiap Pagi: Kebiasaan Lama atau Masih Perlu?

Di tengah gempuran mobil-mobil baru dengan teknologi semakin pintar, satu kebiasaan lama ternyata masih sulit ditinggalkan, yaitu memanaskan mobil setiap pagi. Meski terdengar sepele, praktik ini masih diyakini banyak pemilik kendaraan sebagai langkah wajib sebelum berkendara.

Padahal, seiring berkembangnya teknologi otomotif, cara kerja mesin mobil modern sudah sangat berbeda dibanding era mobil lawas. Lalu, kenapa kebiasaan memanaskan mobil masih terus dilakukan hingga sekarang?

Warisan Zaman Karburator

Kebiasaan memanaskan mobil tak lepas dari sejarah otomotif, terutama di era mesin karburator. Dulu, mesin memang perlu dipanaskan agar campuran udara dan bensin bisa ideal. Tanpa pemanasan, mobil bisa brebet, sulit melaju, bahkan mati mendadak.

Kebiasaan ini kemudian turun-temurun diajarkan dari generasi ke generasi, meski teknologi mobil saat ini sudah jauh berkembang.

Faktor Psikologis: Biar Lebih Tenang

Selain faktor teknis, ada juga unsur psikologis. Banyak pengemudi merasa lebih aman dan nyaman jika mobil sudah dipanaskan terlebih dulu. Meski sebenarnya, rasa aman ini lebih bersifat kebiasaan, bukan lagi kebutuhan mesin.

Minim Edukasi Soal Teknologi Mobil Modern

Tak sedikit pemilik mobil yang belum benar-benar memahami bagaimana teknologi mobil modern bekerja. Akibatnya, asumsi lama masih terus dipakai, termasuk anggapan bahwa mesin harus dipanaskan lama agar awet.

Lalu, Mobil Modern Masih Perlu Dipanaskan?

Secara teknis, mobil modern tidak lagi membutuhkan pemanasan lama seperti mobil-mobil lama. Ini beberapa alasannya:

Sudah Pakai Sistem Injeksi Elektronik

Mayoritas mobil masa kini sudah mengandalkan Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). Sistem ini otomatis mengatur suplai bahan bakar dan udara sesuai suhu mesin dan kondisi lingkungan. Artinya, mesin bisa langsung bekerja optimal tanpa perlu pemanasan manual.

Oli Mesin Bersirkulasi Lebih Cepat

Begitu mesin dinyalakan, pompa oli langsung bekerja dan melumasi komponen mesin hanya dalam hitungan detik. Cukup diamkan mobil sekitar 30 detik hingga 1 menit, mesin sudah siap diajak jalan.

ECU yang Semakin Pintar

Mobil modern dibekali Engine Control Unit (ECU) yang mengatur pengapian, RPM idle, hingga suplai bahan bakar secara otomatis. Semua sudah disesuaikan dengan kondisi mesin, tanpa perlu campur tangan pengemudi seperti di era karburator.

Memang Dirancang Langsung Siap Jalan

Pabrikan mobil modern merancang kendaraannya agar siap digunakan di berbagai kondisi, termasuk saat mesin dingin. Bahkan, banyak buku manual yang justru tidak menyarankan pemanasan terlalu lama.

Risiko Terlalu Lama Memanaskan Mobil

Alih-alih bermanfaat, memanaskan mobil terlalu lama justru bisa membawa dampak negatif, seperti:

• Konsumsi BBM jadi lebih boros
• Emisi gas buang meningkat
• Komponen seperti busi lebih cepat aus
• Lebih tidak ramah lingkungan karena emisi CO₂ lebih tinggi

Kesimpulan

Mobil modern tidak perlu dipanaskan lama setiap pagi. Cukup nyalakan mesin selama 30 detik hingga 1 menit sambil memasang seat belt dan mengatur posisi duduk, setir, serta spion. Setelah itu, jalankan mobil secara perlahan di awal perjalanan agar mesin mencapai suhu kerja ideal secara alami.