Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of engine warm-up time on the emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. Data were analyzed under eight different engine speeds and two load conditions (15% and 30%) over a 15-minute period, in both thermostat and non-thermostat configurations. The results indicated that at 1,500 rpm and 15% load, installing a thermostat reduced the warm-up time by up to 29%. On average, increasing engine speed by 500 rpm shortened this time by 27% at 15% load and by 32% at 30% load. Furthermore, hydrocarbon emissions were substantially elevated during the first three minutes after start-up but stabilized within the range of 150–250 ppm once warm-up was complete. Nitrogen oxides exhibited the most significant variation: doubling the engine speed from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm tripled their concentration, and doubling the load increased it by approximately a factor of 1.6. Moreover, under low-speed and low-load conditions, installing a thermostat reduced carbon dioxide emissions both during and after the warm-up period. Ultimately, it can be concluded that shorter warm-up times, achieved through the use of a thermostat and optimal management of this period, significantly reduce pollutant levels and have a positive effect on controlling engine emissions. These results emphasize the importance of employing optimized cooling systems to decrease pollution and improve the environmental performance of combustion engines.
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Ghasemi Zavaragh, H., Rahmatinejad, B., & Rahimi Asiabaraki, H. (2026). The effect of engine warm-up time on emission levels. The Journal of Engine Research, 73(2), 63-79. https://doi.org/10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123
MLA
Ghasemi Zavaragh, H., Rahmatinejad, B., & Rahimi Asiabaraki, H. "The effect of engine warm-up time on emission levels", The Journal of Engine Research, 73, 2, 2026, 63-79. doi: 10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123
HARVARD
Ghasemi Zavaragh H., Rahmatinejad B., Rahimi Asiabaraki H. (2026). 'The effect of engine warm-up time on emission levels', The Journal of Engine Research, 73(2), pp. 63-79. doi: 10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123
CHICAGO
H. Ghasemi Zavaragh, B. Rahmatinejad & H. Rahimi Asiabaraki, "The effect of engine warm-up time on emission levels," The Journal of Engine Research, 73 2 (2026): 63-79, doi: 10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123
VANCOUVER
Ghasemi Zavaragh H., Rahmatinejad B., Rahimi Asiabaraki H. The effect of engine warm-up time on emission levels. Engine. 2026;73(2):63-79 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/er.2026.2081271.1123