Does being able to lock the car prove that the engine is off?
3 Answers
Being able to lock the car does not necessarily prove that the engine is off. Before closing the car door, it is essential to check the tachometer or the central control screen to confirm whether the engine is turned off. Below is additional information: Reasons for a car automatically shutting off: Vacuum leakage in the intake pipe. Idle speed adjustment issues, dirty throttle body, or poor idle control system performance leading to unstable idling. Unstable fuel pressure, such as excessive wear or poor contact of the electric fuel pump brushes, or clogged fuel pump filter. Other reasons: EGR valve blockage or bottom leakage. Poor performance of fuel pump relay, EFI relay, or ignition relay. Poor contact in the fuel pump drive circuit or injector drive circuit. Ignition system issues: weak high-voltage spark, worn-out spark plugs, incorrect ignition timing, poor contact in the ignition coil, or inter-turn short circuit when hot leading to no or weak high-voltage spark, poor contact in low-voltage circuits, damaged insulation causing intermittent grounding, or poor grounding.
After driving for so many years, I've noticed that many people mistakenly believe that locking the car doors means the engine is already turned off, but that's not the case. I remember one time I was in a hurry and parked quickly, habitually pressed the remote lock button and walked away, only to realize the engine was still humming. Luckily, a friend noticed and told me in time. Nowadays, many cars, especially those with smart key systems, have independent operations for locking and turning off the engine. Locking the car only secures the doors to prevent others from opening them, but the engine might still be running. This kind of oversight can easily lead to a drained battery, wasted fuel, or even thieves taking advantage. I recommend developing a habit of checking the dashboard for the engine-off light or listening for the absence of engine noise before pressing the lock button, ensuring everything is safe and sound.
As an enthusiast with some knowledge of automotive mechanics, I've analyzed the difference between locking a car and turning off the engine. Locking is primarily triggered by the remote key or button to activate the door lock system, which only ensures the doors are properly closed without checking the engine status. In other words, a locked car only proves the doors are securely shut, but the engine might still be running, such as in idle mode. This situation commonly occurs when the owner forgets to turn off the engine or leaves in a hurry. Potential risks include excessive fuel consumption, battery drain, or safety hazards. I recommend that owners manually shut off the engine—for example, by turning off the ignition switch—and then check that everything is normal before locking the car each time they park.
