Should You Turn Off the Engine When Waiting in the Car?
2 Answers
When waiting in the car, fuel consumption also increases, so for economic considerations, it is better to turn off the engine while waiting. Here are some relevant points: 1. Disadvantages of not turning off the engine: In fact, waiting with the engine running can cause damage to the car. When the engine is turned off, it stops running, and the car suffers no loss. However, if the engine continues to idle, it may lead to carbon buildup. Over time, this can result in black smoke emissions and may even produce carbon monoxide. If this gas enters the car, it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning, endangering the safety of passengers inside. Without turning off the engine, it keeps running continuously. 2. Precautions: There are a few other points to note. When waiting in the car, always remember to lock the central locking system. Some drivers may forget to lock the doors after passengers exit the vehicle. In such cases, the doors can be opened from the outside at any time, even if you are inside the car. This could lead to someone unintentionally opening the rear door and stealing valuables from the car. Therefore, even when waiting, it's important to lock the central locking system and keep valuable items close to you to avoid unnecessary financial losses.
Should I turn off the engine when waiting in the car? I think this is a great question because I’ve encountered this situation several times while driving. Turning off the engine can indeed save fuel, as idling still consumes gasoline, wasting money unnecessarily. For example, when waiting for a friend in the city, if I expect to wait for three to five minutes, I’ll turn off the engine without hesitation. Calculations show that idling for an hour may burn about one liter of fuel, costing an extra seven or eight yuan. However, keeping the air conditioning on in hot weather is more comfortable, so it’s a trade-off. I recommend turning off the engine if the wait exceeds one or two minutes—it’s economically sensible and also reduces wear and tear on the vehicle.
