Does a car consume fuel when idling for one hour without turning off the engine?
3 Answers
Starting the car and idling without moving will consume fuel because the internal components of the car are still running. Additional information: 1. The hazards of carbon buildup in cars: Carbon buildup has many negative effects on the engine. If there is carbon buildup on the piston top, it can increase the engine's compression ratio, leading to engine knocking. Knocking can cause increased fuel consumption and reduced power output, and it is also harmful to the engine itself. Severe knocking can even lead to connecting rod deformation or piston cracking. 2. Prolonged idling: Even though the vehicle is not moving, it still consumes fuel and can easily lead to carbon buildup, which can block the engine's intake and exhaust ports. Over time, the vehicle's power output will become a very noticeable issue, making it feel like the accelerator pedal takes a long time to respond.
A car idling in place for an hour definitely consumes fuel. As a long-time car enthusiast, I understand that the engine still requires fuel to maintain operation even when idling. During idle, the engine speed remains between 700 to 1000 RPM, with the fuel injectors continuing to supply energy to the engine. Electrical components like the air conditioning, fans, and lights also rely on the engine, causing continuous fuel consumption. Based on my actual measurements, a typical 1.6L sedan consumes about 1 to 1.5 liters of fuel per hour while idling; for larger-displacement SUVs, this can exceed 2 liters. Running the air conditioning increases fuel consumption further due to the added compressor load. Over time, excessive idling can also lead to carbon buildup, affecting engine longevity. To save money and maintain my car, I turn off the engine if parked for more than 5 minutes.
To be honest, keeping the car idling for an hour without turning it off definitely wastes fuel. I've been driving my own car for many years, and there was one time I waited outside a supermarket for a full hour with the engine and air conditioning running. Later, I noticed the fuel gauge had dropped a bit, and after calculating, it cost me over ten yuan in fuel. On average, an ordinary family car consumes about 1 liter of fuel per hour when idling. With current high fuel prices, an hour of idling is equivalent to wasting over ten yuan. This doesn't even include the extra consumption from the air conditioning. If you do this every day while waiting for your child after school or stuck in traffic during your commute, you could end up burning several extra liters of fuel a month, which really isn't worth it. I recommend turning off the engine to save fuel and just playing some music to pass the time—it's much more economical. Here's a money-saving tip: don't warm up your car for more than a minute in winter, and in summer, use the fan instead of the air conditioning.
