Does Prolonged Idling While Parking Affect the Engine?
2 Answers
Prolonged idling while parking does affect the engine. Idling is not a speed but rather an operational state where the engine runs without load. Parking idling refers to the situation where the car is stationary but the engine remains running at a certain speed. The impacts of prolonged parking idling on the engine are as follows: 1. During extended idling, the throttle opening is minimal, and the fuel injector sprays a highly concentrated mixture to maintain engine operation. Consequently, idling is more prone to causing carbon buildup compared to driving or highway speeds. 2. When the engine idles, the lower temperature and pressure inside the cylinders prolong the ignition preparation time. Combined with reduced cylinder sealing, this can lead to engine knocking, shortening the engine's lifespan. 3. Prolonged idling results in an overly rich air-fuel mixture, reducing oxygen levels in the exhaust. Unburned mixture may ignite at the catalytic converter, potentially damaging it.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I've encountered several instances of prolonged idling and found it quite detrimental to the engine. During idling, the engine runs at low speeds, making it difficult for the oil pump to distribute lubricant to every corner, which accelerates wear on internal components. Over time, carbon deposits tend to accumulate in the combustion chamber, leading to issues like spark plug and fuel injector fouling, resulting in rough ignition and noticeable power loss. Many people idle their cars to warm them up in cold weather, but based on my experience, modern vehicles only need 20-30 seconds after startup for the RPM to stabilize. Idling beyond ten minutes is simply a waste of fuel and unnecessarily increases exhaust emissions. It's best to develop the habit of not letting the car idle for too long—saving money while protecting your vehicle.
