When winter comes along, many people start to dread the moment when they must leave their toasty houses and sit in bitterly cold cars. We all know that warming up your vehicle before you start driving in the winter makes it more comfortable, but how does it affect the vehicle itself? Learn more about the most enticing reasons to warm up your car in the winter with this rundown.

It’s More Comfortable

Let’s be real. The biggest reason you want your vehicle warm is to avoid sitting in the cold. Who would? Cars don’t hold heat well. So a parked automobile will be just as frigid as the rest of the outdoors. Giving your car time to warm up means giving yourself time to stop shivering before you hit the road.

In addition to being comfortable, a warm car is also safe. Numb fingers or full-body shivers worsen your reaction time and may make you clumsier behind the wheel. While it’s unlikely that you’ll get into an accident because you’re too cold, consider this your excuse to warm up a bit before driving.

Scraping the Windshield Is Easier

The only thing worse than a freezing car is a frozen windshield. Scraping the snow and ice off your windows is a good workout at the best of times. But it becomes far more difficult when your entire car is freezing. That’s why one of the best reasons to warm up your car in the winter is to defrost the windows. Warming up the car warms up the windshield, which in turn begins the process of thawing all that ice. Thus, it makes the act of clearing up your windows much easier.

A Warm Engine Performs Better

Just as it’s dangerous to drive with an engine that’s too hot, it’s also a bad idea to drive with one that’s too cold. When you give your car a minute to warm up, the engine has a chance to reach its ideal temperature range. Warming your engine before you start driving enables your vehicle to attain better fuel efficiency, combustion, lubrication, and overall performance.

That said, it only takes a minute or two for your engine to warm up as much as it can while you remain parked. If you spend too long sitting with the heat on, the only thing you’re doing is wasting gas. Let your engine warm up for a minute or so, then hit the road so that your engine—and the rest of your car—can finish warming up as you drive.

If you’re looking for the best gear to keep your car in good shape this winter, stop by Auto Value. Whether you need to buy a starter motor to keep your engine running smoothly or stock up on general supplies, we have everything you need to take care of your vehicle this winter.