Does the car consume fuel when idling?

[Jill]

When the vehicle is idling, it does consume fuel, although the fuel consumption rate is relatively low. However, idling is not good for the engine. Here are some explanations about vehicle idling: 1. Idling refers to a working condition where the engine runs without any load. When the engine is running, if the accelerator pedal is completely released, the engine enters the idling state. 2. When adjusting the idle speed, the RPM should not fluctuate abruptly, as this can cause premature wear to the engine. It is best to have the idle speed adjusted at an automotive repair facility. 3. Idling means the engine operates without any external load, only overcoming the internal friction resistance of its components. It does not output power externally. The minimum RPM required to maintain stable engine operation is called the idle speed, which is one of the five basic operating conditions of an engine. For a well-functioning engine, the idle speed typically ranges from 550 to 800 RPM.

[Kate]

As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I can tell you honestly that idling consumes a significant amount of fuel! When the car is stationary but the engine keeps running, the instantaneous fuel consumption display on the dashboard can reach up to 1.5 liters per hour. Especially in summer when waiting with the air conditioning on, two hours can burn through three liters of fuel—enough to drive 30-40 kilometers. I've seen some ride-hailing drivers who don’t turn off the engine during their lunch breaks, opting to nap with the AC on, and end up spending an extra 400-500 yuan a month just on idling. What’s even more frustrating is the carbon buildup issue. The fuel injectors stay constantly wet, and the throttle body quickly accumulates a layer of black gunk, leading to costly repairs that really hurt the wallet.

[VonJoanna]

Auto repair shops often encounter customers complaining about high fuel consumption, only to find that prolonged idling is the culprit. Tests have shown that a 1.5L displacement car can burn 1.8 liters of fuel per hour when idling with the air conditioning on, which is higher than the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers when driving. The principle is simple—the engine needs to maintain 700 RPM, so the ECU has to continuously supply fuel. There's also a hidden cost: many cars now come with automatic start-stop systems precisely to save on this portion of fuel expenses. If you're stopped at a red light for more than 30 seconds, turning off and restarting the engine is more fuel-efficient than idling, and it can also reduce carbon deposits by half.

[SanBriella]

Last time I checked the environmental report and was shocked - idling for three minutes emits as much pollutants as driving a normal kilometer! Especially those white fumes during winter warm-up, they're all unburned gasoline. Our club's modified cars tested it - a 2.0T engine idling with heater on consumes one fuel gauge segment in just ten minutes. We suggest turning off the engine if waiting exceeds five minutes, and if you must run AC, keep windows slightly open to save fuel. The car computer's fuel consumption statistics often exclude idling data, making actual expenses 20% higher than displayed.