Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car?

On this episode of Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter’s most debated questions—should you warm up your car before driving?

Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense—especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps.

The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift—why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise.

Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes


Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel


Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900


Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

 

Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car?
On this episode of&nbsp;Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter&rsquo;s most debated questions&mdash;should you warm up your car before driving?
Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense&mdash;especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps.
The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift&mdash;why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise.
Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive.  Call us at 855-560-9900.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show—heard nationwide across major networks—he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it’s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show&mdash;heard nationwide across major networks&mdash;he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it&rsquo;s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor™

Ron Ananian, The Car Dr Talks Warming Up Your Car &  More on Mendte In The Morning, WOR Radio 710,  December 15, 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b28969ee-a511-4bb4-b7c9-b3b500bb6763/transcript

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