PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Does a diesel engine need to warm up before driving?
I’m heading out early tomorrow on a winter road trip. Does my diesel engine need to warm up before I hit the road?
Jason Tushinski · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If you want to warm up your diesel vehicle before hitting the road, knock yourself out—but idling for more than a minute or two is unnecessary, even for a diesel engine.
Diesel engines are now computer-controlled and designed to warm up quickly, thus reducing the amount of time you need to idle to reach the ideal operating temperature. If you let a newer diesel engine idle for too long, it can cause problems including:
- Intake manifolds (which evenly distribute the air and fuel mixture to the engine’s cylinders) can gather more soot than is recommended
- DPF (diesel particulate filter) can clog up faster, causing burns and wasting fuel unnecessarily
The best thing you can do to warm up your diesel engine—after letting it idle for no longer than two minutes—is to start driving it. Heading off at a steady pace will heat up the engine and get the oil circulating. But don’t hit the gas too hard, as slamming a cold engine with high RPMs can lead to excessive wear and tear.
Your diesel engine might be able to warm up easily, but your vehicle can’t protect itself—it needs a robust
car insurance
policy for that. With Jerry
, finding a great and affordable car insurance policy has never been easier. No forms, no phone calls, and no hassle!View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance for Your Car
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
