Does Idling Consume More Fuel?
2 Answers
Engine fuel consumption increases with higher RPM. Below is more information about engine idling: 1. During idling, the engine must be ready to respond to the driver's starting operation at any time. When starting the car, it transitions from a stationary to a moving state, requiring the engine to generate more torque than during normal driving. 2. Due to the inherent programming of the car's electronic fuel injection system, the fuel injector sprays slightly more fuel per cycle during idling compared to normal driving. Additionally, higher engine RPM results in increased fuel consumption. Extended content: The meaning of car idling refers to the state where the car is started under any load condition without needing to perform external work. The vehicle's ECU controls the throttle solenoid valve's air intake to maintain the engine's minimum and stable RPM.
Honestly, idling fuel consumption is quite alarming. I once tested my old 1.6L car specifically - with AC on and idling stationary for 1 hour, the fuel gauge dropped by a full notch, working out to about 1.5 liters consumed. It's even scarier during summer traffic jams when you're crawling in stop-and-go traffic with AC running. Some veteran drivers think restarting the engine wastes more fuel, but actually shutting it off becomes more economical if idling exceeds 30 seconds. Especially with current fuel prices being so high, it's best to develop the habit of turning off the engine during prolonged stops. I've heard some cities are now fining drivers for idling with AC on - just the fuel cost alone is painful to think about, not to mention carbon buildup issues.
