Does Not Turning Off the Engine While Washing the Car Have Any Impact?

[JohnRose]

Not turning off the engine while washing the car does have an impact, primarily on the engine. Every time the engine is turned off, the engine oil flows back into the oil pan. When the engine is started again, there will be a lack of lubrication between the crankshaft and crankshaft bearings, leading to hard friction. This can affect the engine's lifespan. More related information is as follows: 1. Manual Car Washing: Turning off the engine before washing is economical, environmentally friendly, and prevents the engine from overheating and drying out the areas cleaned by detergent. Hand the key to the staff and start the engine when needed. 2. Self-Service Car Washing: There is no need to turn off the engine; the car should be placed in neutral or N gear. Automatic car washing involves the car being moved into the wash bay via a conveyor belt. During this process, the steering wheels will move as the conveyor belt operates.

[ArcherRose]

As someone who frequently washes my own car, I believe there are indeed many issues with washing the car without turning off the engine. Firstly, having the engine running increases safety risks—water splashing around during washing could accidentally contact wires or engine components, leading to electric shock or burns; if the car suddenly moves, it's more likely to hit something or injure someone. Secondly, it's bad for the car itself: washing while the engine is running may allow water to splash into the exhaust system or engine compartment, potentially causing short circuits, corrosion of electronic components, and long-term damage to the battery and ignition system. Additionally, not turning off the engine means it continues to burn fuel, wasting gasoline unnecessarily and being environmentally unfriendly—increased exhaust emissions harm air quality. From experience, I always turn off the engine before washing, as it’s more worry-free and safer, extends the vehicle’s lifespan, and reduces unnecessary repair costs. In short, while not turning off the engine might save a few minutes, the potential risks are too great and not worth taking.

[DeLucia]

I believe that washing a car without turning off the engine definitely has negative impacts, with safety being the primary concern. For instance, if you're using a hose to wash your car at home, leaving the engine running poses an electric shock risk—water splashing onto the battery or alternator could cause a short circuit and lead to an accident. Moreover, the vehicle might unexpectedly roll or accelerate, making it difficult to control. As for vehicle damage, cold water hitting a hot engine can create thermal stress, compromising the cylinder block's sealing integrity; electronic systems like the ECU are prone to water damage, leading to costly and unreliable future repairs. I once heard a story from a friend: he didn't turn off the engine while washing his car, and water got into the air filter, nearly ruining the engine. Additionally, keeping the engine running wastes fuel and is environmentally unfriendly—direct exhaust emissions increase carbon footprints. Therefore, I strongly recommend developing the habit of turning off the engine before washing your car—it's safer and more worry-free.

[LaJuliet]

I've tried washing the car without turning off the engine a few times, and it felt pretty awful. Safety-wise, washing with the engine running makes me nervous – strong water sprays can splash onto hot components, posing burn hazards; plus, I worry the car might suddenly move and hurt me or others. Mechanically, this can lead to water seeping into systems: for instance, damp intake tracts, short-circuited spark plugs causing failure, affecting startup or triggering warning lights. Once, I washed without shutting off, water got into the fan area and stalled the engine, costing a lot in repairs. Over time, it also wastes fuel and increases emissions, which isn't eco-friendly. Bottom line: small details matter. Turning off before washing is safer and saves money.