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