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First of all let me say that I already read this question and its answer, so it's clear to me why diesel-powered cars need a warm-up time.

My question is: do modern cars need it too? I have VW Golf VI (year 2009) and I normally leave the system on for a couple of seconds before starting the engine... but am I being too cautious, or does the car really need it?

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Noldor130884
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2 Answers2

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I have both a 2004 Bora TDI (Jetta Mk4 in the US) and a 2012 Mk6 TDI Golf. When either of these cars requires it's warm up system, it will automatically switch it on for the time it needs. This is signified by the glow plug light illumination on the dashboard:

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Once it's up to the temperature it requires, the light goes out and the car can be started.

I live in North East England and see temperatures ranging from 25 degrees celsius in the summer to -8 degrees celsius in winter and only ever see the glow plug light very occasionally on the coldest of mornings.

Noldor130884
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Steve Matthews
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Diesels have never absolutely needed it - even on older diesels, they'd still usually start without waiting for the glow plugs. However it does make it very much easier for the engine, so starting will be easier in adverse conditions (cold/altitude) where otherwise the engine might not catch. Also you'll find the engine runs rough for a few seconds until the combustion process has got everything up to temperature, which isn't good for the engine long-term and produces a lot more emissions.

Graham Bartlett
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