FARGO -- The Red River Valley is headed for the coldest night of winter, so far, and subzero temps are locked in across the region.

In these types of temperatures, mechanics say warming up your vehicle is about more than just comfort.

Repair shops say the problem comes when motorists consistently start their vehicles in frigid temperatures and fail to give it enough time to warm up before driving, saying it can eventually lead to engine trouble.

"Grandpa always used to tell me, you don't get out of bed and run a marathon right away," Vern Newman, the general manager at Matt's Automotive, says.

He says your temperature gauge should be halfway between hot and cold before you drive, especially in cold weather.

"Only so much of it is coming up there, because it's cold oil, so the molecules have changed their density. So by allowing it to warm up, you're allowing that lubrication to go to the top side of the engine, which can help extend the life of that engine," Newman says.

Subzero temperatures can be oil's worst nightmare. Fix it Forward in Moorhead says it boils down to a simple science.

"The whole context of the fluid changes. So, getting a chance to get that fluid where it is can do what it's supposed to with its viscosity and with its lubrication standards, stuff like that, the additives in those to work," Justin Ranum, with Fix it Forward, says.

Otherwise your vehicle's engine components develop wear and tear over time and cracking or stress makes its way to the critical parts of your engine.

"Over time, yes, it will lead to catastrophic failure at some point," Newman says.

A quick safety reminder, while you're warming up your car, make sure it's locked, in plain sight or you're sitting in it to prevent it from being stolen.