Ok, with these cold, cold temps......do I have to start my car??? I've got it in the garage.

[a kennedy]

Does that matter?? Or should I just start it and let it run for awhile.

[Shermann]

1. Warming up the car in park seems to be old thinking

Nowadays you mostly hear that you should just start the car and go as vehicles warm up more efficiently in drive.

[a kennedy]

2. I can't drive right now as I had a total knee replacement surgery, so was actually

asking as, I remember my dad, so long ago would start it if it was cold for a long stretch of time.

[Arne]

3. Any way

you could warm up just the bottom of the oil pan?
She will flow better at start.

[Enter stage left]

4. Please, do NOT start it and let in run in the garage, ever!

Move it out within 30 to 60 seconds.

[a kennedy]

9. Yup, and thanks.

[Drum]

5. If ya do, open up that garage door to keep exhaust fumes headed outdoors.

[a kennedy]

8. Right, I should have said I would do that.

[Prairie_Seagull]

6. If you have a trickle charger use it in garage.

With some of the extreme temps it's a good idea to check the level of your anti-freeze if you have a tester. Under these conditions and without further info your car should be fine.

IMO

[a kennedy]

10. Good idea, not sure of the trickle charger.......but will check the anti-freeze.

[Prairie_Seagull]

12. If you get or have a trickle charger -

Double check your owner manual or on-line for how it should be hooked up and hi back.

[Ocelot II]

7. It's no colder than it usually is in January in the North.

If your car started last year it will start this year, assuming your battery is fully charged. Wind chill doesn't affect cars, so you don't need to consider that at all. If you do start it, don't run it in the garage (especially if you have an attached garage); take it out and drive it around for awhile.

[gibraltar72]

11. Extreme cold saps battery.

Newer cars have so much running behind the scenes I would always start a car every few days. It just sucks to try to start a car with less than a full charge.