It is easy to find reasons to preheat a car, too. When you have little ones, especially babies, you want to make sure they stay snug and warm, so of course it is natural to preheat. And with remote start systems for many cars, starting the car ahead of time is even easier than ever.
As it turns out, preheating your car may lead to reduced emissions. According to General Motors, “a warm engine emits significantly fewer unburned hydrocarbons during the first accelerations.” That is one side of the debate, but the Environmental Protection Agency does not seem as convinced about the benefits of preheating, “Idling will not help emission-control systems reach operating temperatures.”
So preheating your car still seems to be a matter of personal preference. If you have kids or prefer the cozy heat of a car, give it a little time before you jump in. Make sure preheating your car is legal where you live. In a nearby city, car theft became so rampant that leaving a running car unattended is now a crime, which rules out preheating.