Do Vehicles Have Summoning Sickness? Have you ever turned on your RC car or Tesla and waited a few seconds for it to respond? Gamers joke that this delay is “summoning sickness,” like the rule in Magic: The Gathering. But do real vehicles actually have this magical cooldown?
Let’s explore the science behind car delays and why gamers love comparing them to card games!
What Is Summoning Sickness? (In Simple Terms)

In Gaming:
Summoning sickness is a rule from Magic: The Gathering (MTG). When you play a new creature card, it can’t attack or use special abilities until your next turn. Think of it like a “cooldown” to keep the game fair.
In Real Life:
People joke that cars, phones, or even coffee makers have “summoning sickness” when they take time to start up. But unlike MTG, this delay isn’t a rule—it’s science!
Do Cars Have Summoning Sickness? Let’s Compare!

1. Cold Weather Warm-Ups: The “Cooldown” Myth
Older cars often need 1-2 minutes to warm up in winter. This isn’t summoning sickness—it’s caused by thick engine oil struggling to flow in cold temperatures.
How to Fix It:
- Use synthetic oil (it flows better in cold weather).
- Install a block heater to warm the engine overnight.
2. RC Cars: Lag Isn’t Magic!
Your RC car might take 5 seconds to respond when you turn it on. This isn’t a magical cooldown it’s just Bluetooth or radio signals connecting!
Pro Tip:
- Keep batteries fully charged to reduce lag.
3. Tesla’s “Summon” Feature: Safety First!
Tesla’s self-driving cars can park or drive to you using the Summon feature. The 10-15 second delay isn’t summoning sickness it’s the car scanning for obstacles and planning a safe path.
Fun Fact:
Teslas don’t need “mana” to move. They need sensors, cameras, and smart software!
Why Do People Joke About Cars Having Summoning Sickness?
Gamers love borrowing terms from their favorite hobbies. For example:
- Calling slow Wi-Fi “lagging like a tapped creature.”
- Joking that a slow scooter has “summoning sickness.”
It’s all about making tech quirks feel relatable and funny!
Read: Eggy Car Cool Math Games
Quiz: Is It Summoning Sickness or Just Science?
Test your knowledge with these quick questions:
- Your car takes 10 seconds to start in winter. Is this summoning sickness?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: B) No! It’s engine oil thickening in the cold.
- A Tesla takes 15 seconds to park itself. Is this a game rule?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: B) No! The car is checking for pedestrians and obstacles.
FAQs
Can electric scooters get summoning sickness?
No! Their delay is just the motor waking up no mana or magic required.
Do self-driving cars have cooldowns?
They need 5-10 seconds to scan their surroundings. Safety checks > magic rules!
Why do gamers compare cars to MTG?
It’s playful slang! Like calling a slow phone a “laggy noob.”
Conclusion: Myth Busted
Cars don’t have summoning sickness it’s all science and safety! Cold starts, RC car lag, and Tesla’s Summon feature are caused by physics and smart tech, not game rules. But gamers will keep joking about it and that’s okay!