Avoid driving at high speed on a cold engine

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How often do you see motorists idling in their cars with the engine running? Probably not very often. Most drivers simply start the car and drive off immediately. While this might seem like a time-saver, it can come at a high cost, shortening your vehicle’s lifespan.

Many people park their cars outdoors, whether at home or in public parking lots. During colder weather, especially in rainy seasons like now, it is important to let the engine warm up before driving. The main reason is lubrication. Engine oil needs time to circulate fully through the moving parts. Without that, metal parts can grind against each other, increasing wear and damage.

Mechanic Derrick Lwanga recalls a cautionary tale about one of his colleagues who ignored the advice to warm his engine before driving.

“Instead of letting the engine run for a while to circulate oil properly, he started the car and immediately sped off. Moments later, smoke billowed from the exhaust, and the turbo was gone,” Lwanga says. The repair cost him nearly sh2m.

Warming the engine also helps achieve the right air-fuel mixture for efficient combustion. Forcing a cold engine to accelerate quickly stresses internal components and can cause serious damage.

However, modern vehicles, especially those made from the late 1990s onward, use electronic fuel injection systems, which require less time to warm up compared to older models.

According to Umar Kasujja, an automotive technician, reaching optimal operating temperature is crucial. “The engine must warm up to efficiently burn fuel and expel dirt and unburned gases through the exhaust. That is also when it runs at peak efficiency and avoids stalling,” he explains.

Taking just a minute or two to let your engine warm up, especially in cold or wet conditions, can prevent costly mechanical failures and extend your vehicle’s lifespan.

Routine habits like this may seem minor, but over time, they translate into major savings on repairs, improved fuel economy, and a more reliable car. In the long run, proper engine care isn’t just about performance, it is about protecting your investment.