Does idling at 2000 RPM damage the car?
2 Answers
Idling at 2000 RPM does harm the car. Keeping the engine idling for twenty minutes can cause certain damages to the vehicle. The main harm is that prolonged or frequent idling can easily lead to carbon buildup inside the engine cylinders and also affect the throttle valve. Increased fuel consumption during prolonged idling: Extended idling can result in higher fuel consumption. A significant portion of fuel usage during vehicle operation is due to idling. It can be observed that vehicles often have lower fuel consumption when driving on highways, precisely because there is minimal idling time on highways, and the engine operates in its optimal state, thus achieving better fuel efficiency. Carbon buildup accumulation: When carbon deposits accumulate to a certain extent, they can reduce the vehicle's power performance and, over time, easily cause engine wear. During idling, the vehicle does not perform external work. In the idling state, the engine only overcomes its own resistance. Therefore, drivers should turn off the engine when waiting for extended periods.
Keeping the engine idling at 2000 RPM for a long time is not good for the car. I've seen many car owners do this during repairs, resulting in problems. When the engine runs at high RPM without load, it can accelerate wear and tear on components, such as increased friction between pistons and cylinders, which may shorten the engine's lifespan over time. Additionally, incomplete combustion can lead to carbon buildup, depositing on spark plugs or throttle bodies, affecting starting and acceleration performance. Fuel consumption also skyrockets, wasting gas and increasing pollution. I remember one car owner complaining about unstable driving, and upon inspection, it was due to severe carbon buildup from prolonged high-idling. It's recommended to warm up the engine briefly before normal driving—500 to 1000 RPM is ideal, and exceeding 1500 RPM should be minimized in duration.
