Does the car consume fuel when idling without moving?
2 Answers
When the car is started but not moving, it still consumes fuel. When the car is parked and the engine is still running, to ensure the engine does not stall, it maintains a low speed called idle speed. At this time, the engine still consumes fuel, albeit a relatively small amount. Here is some related information about idling: 1. Concept: Idling is an operational state of a car where the engine runs in neutral gear. The engine speed during idling is called the idle speed, which can be adjusted by modifying the throttle opening size, among other methods. When the engine is running and the accelerator pedal is completely released, the engine is in an idling state. 2. Adjustment: When adjusting the idle speed, the RPM should not fluctuate abruptly, as this can cause premature wear to the engine. It is advisable to have the idle speed adjusted at an automotive repair facility.
I noticed that every time I warm up the car in winter, even without moving, the engine sound clearly indicates it's burning fuel, which increases fuel consumption. Once the car engine starts, it consumes gasoline to keep running, just like idling in neutral without driving. I tested my family car, and idling for 10 minutes uses about 0.1 liters of fuel. It doesn't save much money when accumulated over a day. Especially in summer when waiting with the air conditioning on, the fuel consumption is even faster. Experts recommend not letting the car idle for more than a minute, otherwise it's a waste of money and causes pollution. Developing the habit of turning off the engine when parked is the most practical, both environmentally friendly and extending engine life. Remember, short-term idling doesn't harm the car, but long-term or frequent idling is not advisable.
