Why you see white smoke on startup but it clears up

If you've ever walked out to your driveway in the morning and wondered what causes white smoke on startup but clears up after a minute or two, you are definitely not alone. It's one of those things that can make your heart skip a beat, especially if you're already worried about your car's reliability. You turn the key, look in the rearview mirror, and see a puffy white cloud drifting past your window. Then, as you pull out of the neighborhood, it's gone, and the car runs perfectly fine. ...

March 2, 2026 · 7 min · Debbi Jens