Why?
Fuel consumption increases sharply in our harsh winters, which is both tough on your wallet as well as the environment. Laboratory tests have shown that at -30°C fuel consumption increases by about 30 percent. When this is combined with short trips and the extra fuel wasted needlessly idling to warm the engine, fuel consumption in winter can be as much as 50 percent greater than in summer.

To overcome the colder temperatures and thicker oil, more fuel is pumped to the engine, increasing your fuel consumption. In addition, the coolant (anti-freeze) does not circulate as well when idling as it does while driving, so it warms up quicker if you drive it.

Remember as well that it is not just your engine that needs to be warmed up in order for your vehicle to run efficiently. The transmission, wheel bearings, and even your tires must warm up as well and they can only get warmed up through driving.

The less efficient fuel combustion and the richer fuel mixture when your car is cold means a sharp increase in pollutants. The vehicle's catalytic converter does not work until it reaches peak operating temperature (between 400°C and 800°C), so until it warms up all of the emissions from your exhaust are going straight out the tail pipe untreated.

How do I do this?

In modern fuel injected engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on cold winter days before driving away.  Be sure to drive gently for the first few kilometers to allow your vehicle to warm up. Once your temperature guage starts to move upward, you can start driving normally. 

A block heater is great way to get your vehicle warmer, faster! The block heater will warm the engine coolant (anti-freeze) which will not only help you start your car more easily, but speed the delivery of heat to the inside of your car. There is no need to plug your car in all night; all you need is to plug in your car approximately 2 hours before you drive away. You can use a plug timer to make this happen automatically. If plugged in for any longer, the gains in fuel efficiency are lost in home electricity use!