Does Long-Term Idling Affect the Engine?

[LeKathryn]

Long-term idling does affect the engine. It can lead to poor heat dissipation, increased emissions, and carbon buildup, while also causing certain environmental pollution. Therefore, prolonged idling should be avoided as much as possible. The function of an engine is to convert the thermal energy of gasoline into mechanical energy by burning the fuel in a sealed cylinder, causing the expansion of gases to push the pistons and perform work. Methods for engine maintenance include: 1. Using qualified engine oil; 2. Using qualified coolant and antifreeze; 3. Regularly cleaning the radiator scale; 4. Regularly removing engine carbon deposits; 5. Periodically replacing the three automotive filters; 6. Maintaining a reasonable engine speed.

[OAriel]

As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I believe prolonged idling does have negative effects on the engine. The main reason is that during idling, the engine operates at very low RPM, leading to incomplete combustion which tends to cause carbon buildup in the cylinders. Excessive carbon deposits can clog fuel injectors, resulting in reduced power and noticeable vibrations during startup. Additionally, while the engine keeps running without the vehicle moving, the lubrication system doesn't work efficiently, accelerating wear on piston rings and cylinder walls. Over time, fuel consumption will increase significantly, wasting gasoline. I once left my engine running for half an hour while waiting in the car, and later the mechanic found it full of black carbon deposits. My advice is to turn off the engine if parking for more than a few minutes - it saves fuel and protects the engine, especially during hot summer days when overheating risks increase.

[DelAaliyah]

As an ordinary office worker, I often find myself idling at red lights in traffic jams lately, and I've noticed my fuel costs skyrocketing. Long-term idling is indeed harmful to the engine, as low combustion efficiency leads to more soot buildup in the exhaust system, potentially clogging the catalytic converter. Additionally, insufficient battery power might prevent the fan from operating, causing the engine temperature to rise and wear out oil seals and gaskets. My car's manual also warns that idling for over 5 minutes can affect the engine's lifespan. Now, I try to turn off the engine whenever possible while waiting, saving money and being eco-friendly. If idling is unavoidable, regular checks for carbon deposits and cleaning are crucial to prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs.

[LydiaMarie]

From a car repair perspective, prolonged idling damages the engine. During idling, the load is small, fuel combustion is incomplete, and a large amount of carbon particles accumulate on the throttle valve and spark plugs, leading to unstable idling. The oil circulation is slow, resulting in insufficient lubrication of components and increased wear. In severe cases, the cooling system efficiency is low, which may burn out the water pump. It is recommended to control the idling time within 3 minutes.