Should You Turn Off the Engine While Waiting in the Car?

[AdrianMarie]

If waiting in the car for less than five minutes, you don't need to turn off the engine; for more than five minutes, it's better to turn it off. Otherwise, besides wasting fuel and increasing engine carbon deposits, sitting in the car for a long time while waiting not only consumes more fuel but also poses safety risks. The impacts of prolonged idling are as follows: Increased Risk of Freezing: In extremely cold winter regions, prolonged engine idling can easily cause the radiator or lower hose to freeze, blocking the coolant from entering the radiator and even leading to abnormal boiling. Increased Cylinder Knocking: During engine idling, due to lower temperature and pressure inside the cylinders, the preparation time for fuel ignition is prolonged. Additionally, the cylinder's sealing performance decreases, making it more prone to knocking sounds, which shortens the engine's lifespan.