Does idling the car after ignition consume fuel?

[LaBlakely]

Leaving the car idling after ignition does consume fuel. Here are the issues that may arise from idling the car after ignition: 1. When the car is idling, it means the engine is running at idle speed, which refers to the engine running without load. The idle speed of an engine typically ranges between 550-800 RPM. Prolonged idling can easily lead to carbon buildup in the engine. Both high and low idle speeds are undesirable. A high idle speed can affect fuel consumption, potentially increasing it, raising the engine's internal temperature, 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: stalling while idling or stalling while the car is in motion. 2. In colder temperatures, idling the engine to warm it up is a method that can be used, but the idling time should not be too long. Idling for about a minute is sufficient. Once the RPM stabilizes, you can warm up the car by driving at low speeds while keeping the RPM under 2000. This method not only saves fuel but also helps prevent carbon buildup in the engine.