Cars can be hard to start in the extreme cold. What to know to ensure a smooth start

With cold temperatures bringing ice and snow across the U.S., your first instinct before driving anywhere may be to let your car warm up.

But that might not be a great idea, according to experts at AAA. The engine only needs about the time it takes you to fasten your seat belt to ensure lubricating oil makes its way across the engine's vital parts.

"If it's cold, there's no snow, no ice, start the vehicle, get in, put on your seat belt, adjust the mirrors, and then just start driving the vehicle normally, that's the best way to heat up the engine that we allow the heat inside to warm up as well," David Bennett, senior automotive manager at AAA, told USA TODAY. "You're just wasting gas by starting it up and letting it sit there for five minutes to warm up."

If there is ice and snow on your vehicle, Bennett recommends scraping it off and turning on the defrosters.

Bennett said the misconception that you need to let the engine warm up has been passed around for generations since vehicles had carbureted engines, which actually required that process. He said modern cars are so "well designed and so efficient that they warm up a lot quicker as you start driving down the road" and to avoid pushing down on the accelerator hard to speed the heating process.

With arctic air from Canada bringing subfreezing temperatures and placing 68 million Americans under a winter weather advisory Tuesday, here's what else to know about driving in the cold:

What are the coldest cities in the U.S.?Cold front gripping nation sends temps plummeting

Why won't my car start when it's cold?

Your car may not start in the cold because the batteries are not fully charged, according to J.D. Power. The consumer intelligence company said vehicle owners may notice this when the starter works sluggishly.

"However, this may not be the only reason that prevents the car from starting in cold weather. It often happens that in winter, some lurking malfunctions or faults reveal themselves," a J.D. Power blog post last year said.

The following methods can help your vehicle's battery start under frosty conditions, according to J.D. Power:

◾ Warm up the battery by flashing the high beams for 20 to 30 seconds.

◾ Turn on the ignition. Wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to work if your car has an injector.

◾ Pull the lever if your carburetor doesn't have an automatic choke.

◾ If your car has a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal before starting the engine.

◾ Try starting the car for no longer than 10 to 15 seconds to avoid overheating. If your car doesn't start then try again after a minute.

◾ If the starter functions normally but the car fails to start after three attempts then try depressing the gas pedal and repeating the process.

◾ If the starter fails to turn on then the battery is either dead or the starter itself is broken.

Check antifreeze, batteries and these other parts ahead of winter storms

During cold weather, your vehicle may require twice the amount of current than normal to get the engine to start. At 32 degrees, a car's battery loses about 35% of its strength, according to AAA Automotive Research Center.

It's best to frequently check your antifreeze and batteries to avoid engine freeze-up in the winter and protect against rust and corrosion. Bennett also urged drivers to check their tire pressure to ensure they are properly inflated, treaded and to carry a spare tire.

Additionally, Bennett said to check running lights, headlights, turn signals, brake lights and reverse lights so you're able to see and be seen on the road as well as wiper blades to protect visibility. He recommends checking oil transmission fluid as well as coolant levels when the engine temperature is cold.

How often should I start my car to keep the battery charged

According to AAA, your car should be started and driven for 30 minutes or more at least once a week. This will maintain the battery's life, keep seals properly lubricated and prevent old start combustion contaminants from accumulating in the engine oil.

Starting the car without driving it does not allow the battery to recharge from the engine. AAA recommends asking friends or family to drive your car for 30 minutes a week if won't be able to for a while.

Other car safety tips during winter weather

◾ Make sure your battery and charging systems are in good shape as battery posts and cable connections with clean corrosion are more reliable during cold conditions.

◾ Avoid using your vehicle to charge devices. Instead, invest in a few portable chargers.

◾ Clean vehicle headlights, replace old wiper blades and inspect their tires' tread depth and pressure to ensure proper visibility and traction.

◾ Avoid using cruise control and making unnecessary lane changes in icy conditions as doing so can increase the odds of colliding with ice while switching lanes.

Contributing: Coral Murphy Marcos, Dalvin Brown & Ben Tobin