Does a Car Consume Fuel When Idling After Starting?
2 Answers
A car does consume fuel when idling after starting, although the fuel consumption is less than when driving. Prolonged idling can damage the car's engine. When the car is started but not moving, it indicates that the engine is in an idle state. Idle state refers to the engine running without load, with the engine speed ranging between 550 to 800 revolutions per minute. If a car idles for an extended period, it can easily lead to carbon buildup in the engine. Both high and low idle speeds are detrimental. A high idle speed can affect the engine's fuel consumption, potentially increasing it, raising the internal temperature of the engine, and accelerating engine wear, thereby reducing the engine's lifespan. Conversely, prolonged low idle speed can cause the car to stall. Stalling can occur in two scenarios: one is stalling during idling, and the other is stalling while the car is in motion.
After driving for so many years, I've seen quite a few people who think that idling after starting the engine doesn't consume fuel or only consumes a tiny bit. This idea is actually completely wrong. The engine starts burning gasoline as soon as it's turned on. When idling in place, the fuel pump continues to work, keeping the engine running without moving the vehicle, which is simply a waste of energy. For example, my old car consumes about 0.5 liters of fuel when idling with the air conditioning on for half an hour in summer. Calculated over a month, stopping to chat or wait for friends could waste dozens of dollars in fuel costs. At the same time, it emits exhaust gases that pollute the air and increases carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate warming. I suggest everyone develop good habits and turn off the engine if parked for more than a minute or two, saving money and being environmentally friendly. Especially now with high fuel prices, don’t underestimate this waste.
