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How To: Extend your engine's life by letting it tick over

Go easy during start-up to get that oil flowing.

CARS HAVE MANY parts that are designed to work at optimal temperatures. When a car is cold – has been off for five hours or more – the oil, which protects the moving parts, has pooled back in the oil pan and isn’t coating the engine.

Moreover, cold oil doesn’t offer as much protection to the moving parts of the engine, which doesn’t have much lubrication. If you take a minute to get the oil moving around before putting any load on the engine, those vital parts will be better protected and last longer.

But don’t worry: it doesn’t take long after starting for the oil pump to get going and adequately lubricate everything.

So what should you do? Basically, let the engine tick over for a minute (literally) before you hit the road.

By idling the engine as you pack up the car / put on your seat belt / tune the radio, it gives the oil a chance to warm up.

Shutterstock / nonexist Shutterstock / nonexist / nonexist

After 30 seconds to one minute, pop the car into gear and start driving it lightly, keeping the revs down. Driving the car lightly for the first few kilometres will help protect the engine while the oil is heating up to optimal operating temperature.

This will also give other fluids time to loosen up and start flowing through the drivetrain so they can work properly too. Your car’s components will thank you for it.

READ: How to know when your wipers need replacing >

READ: Dear Driver: How can I tell when my NCT is due? >

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    Sep 4th 2015, 8:17 AM

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    Sep 4th 2015, 8:18 AM

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    Sep 4th 2015, 9:18 AM

    The Ad’s will be arriving soon.. Gotta make money off those 900m users.

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    That’s why they charge you after one year. To keep it ad free.

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    Sep 4th 2015, 9:31 AM

    They do make money. 89cent for 1 yr usage. That’s 800 million euro… Nice easy profit..

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    The app is completely free.

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    Sep 4th 2015, 1:45 PM

    Initially yes but I’ve paid 69p twice since I installed it a few years ago. Think it’s 2 years free.

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    I have it 4 years and never paid a cent.

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    Gerard,

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    Ever since need scored the lowest for data protection I deleted it, I think people are soo foolish with what they use and how they share data

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