Is Long-Term Car Idling Harmful?
2 Answers
Here are the impacts of prolonged car idling on the vehicle: 1. If the engine remains idling for an extended period, the throttle opening will be very small, leading to more severe carbon buildup in the engine over time; 2. During idling, the car's fuel consumption is quite high; 3. When the engine is idling, it is prone to knocking sounds, which can shorten the engine's lifespan; 4. Prolonged idling results in a high concentration of the air-fuel mixture in the engine and low oxygen content in the exhaust, which can easily damage the three-way catalytic converter. Additional Information: Idling refers to the engine running without any load, only overcoming the internal friction resistance of its components, without delivering any external power. The minimum speed required to maintain stable engine operation is called the idle speed, which is one of the five basic operating conditions of an engine. A well-functioning engine typically has an idle speed ranging from 550 to 800 revolutions per minute.
I've always thought that prolonged idling is not a good thing. From my experience, it burns extra gasoline, wasting money for nothing. With lower engine RPM, incomplete combustion occurs more easily, leading to carbon buildup that deposits on the throttle body and intake pipes, affecting performance. The car becomes sluggish during acceleration and may even shake. The battery also suffers, as insufficient charging leads to shortened lifespan. I suggest turning off the engine when waiting, especially when running the AC in summer. If idling exceeds a few minutes, fuel consumption skyrockets while increasing pollution. Developing this habit can both save some fuel costs and protect your car in the long run - don't let that engine keep spinning aimlessly.
