Should You Turn Off the Engine When Waiting for Someone for a Long Time?
2 Answers
If you're waiting in the car for less than five minutes, you don't need to turn off the engine. However, if the wait exceeds five minutes, it's advisable to turn off the engine. Keeping the engine idling for extended periods can harm the engine, especially in underground parking lots where prolonged idling should be avoided. Hazards of prolonged idling while waiting: Carbon buildup: Extended idling causes the engine temperature to remain too low, leading to incomplete fuel combustion. This results in carbon deposits that can clog fuel injectors. Severe carbon buildup may cause piston rings to seize or even break. Increased wear: During prolonged idling, fuel atomization is poor. Unburned atomized diesel can wash down cylinder walls and mix with engine oil, diluting and degrading the lubricant. This leads to inadequate lubrication of engine components, accelerating wear. Safety risks: Engines running at idle for long periods have poor combustion efficiency, worsening exhaust emissions. If toxic gases from the exhaust enter the cabin, they can pose serious health risks to occupants.
It's generally a good habit to turn off the engine during prolonged idling. From an environmental perspective, engine idling wastes fuel and increases carbon emissions, burning gasoline needlessly every minute. I often see drivers keeping their engines running while waiting at traffic lights or for someone, unnecessarily consuming resources. In fact, if your idling time exceeds 30 seconds, especially in urban areas, turning off the engine can save a significant amount on fuel costs. Imagine if all vehicles adopted this habit – overall societal pollution would decrease substantially. Personally, I make it a habit to turn off the engine while waiting for friends, not only saving money but also feeling like I'm contributing to protecting the planet. Although keeping the engine running might provide air conditioning comfort, choosing to turn it off is preferable unless in extreme weather conditions. This small action can accumulate substantial benefits, benefiting both your vehicle and the environment.
