Is Idling Harmful to a Car?
1 Answers
If a car is left idling for a short period, it will not cause any damage. However, prolonged idling can lead to carbon buildup in the engine, which is a result of incomplete combustion. Therefore, it is recommended not to leave the car idling for extended periods. When a car idles, incomplete combustion occurs in the engine, leading to carbon deposits. These deposits can cause engine knocking, which is an abnormal combustion phenomenon. During the compression stroke of the engine, the piston moves upward, compressing the air-fuel mixture. This increases the pressure and temperature of the mixture. If the mixture ignites spontaneously at this point, it results in knocking. The burning mixture pushes the piston downward while it is moving upward, affecting the engine's power output and fuel efficiency. Due to the low engine speed and reduced air intake efficiency during idling, combustion is inherently incomplete, making it easier for carbon deposits to form. More importantly, these deposits cannot be expelled and accumulate in the cylinders and intake passages, significantly speeding up the carbon buildup process. When carbon deposits reach a certain level, they can reduce the car's performance and, over time, lead to engine wear. During idling, the car does not perform any external work—the engine only overcomes its own internal resistance. Thus, it is advisable to turn off the engine during prolonged waits.
