What Are the Effects of Idling the Car for 10 Minutes?
2 Answers
Modern cars do not require idling to warm up. After starting, you can drive smoothly at low speeds instead. Idling to warm up the engine can easily lead to carbon buildup. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. The purpose of idling to warm up: In winter, cars are either parked in underground garages or on the roadside, where temperatures are very low. After sitting overnight, the engine oil tends to settle, and due to the low temperature, the oil may 'freeze.' Driving off immediately without allowing the oil to circulate can cause significant wear and tear on the engine, hence the need to warm up the car beforehand. 2. Regional factors: Generally speaking, for areas with colder temperatures like the northern regions, warming up the car is necessary. However, for car owners in the south, idling to warm up is not as essential. You can drive off normally once the idle speed stabilizes. After all, during idling, the engine burns fuel continuously, producing a large amount of carbon deposits. By the end of winter, the engine may be clogged with carbon buildup, leading to increased fuel consumption, reduced performance, and even abnormal vibrations.
To be honest, I've been driving for over a decade and always heard people say that idling the engine for 10 minutes is good for it, helping warm up and reduce wear. But now I've tried it myself and realized this habit is completely unnecessary, especially in winter or when the engine is cold. It just makes the oil pump work in vain, wastes fuel, and actually slows down temperature rise once the engine RPM stabilizes. Prolonged idling noticeably increases fuel consumption—you might not have noticed how quickly the fuel gauge drops. What's worse, it generates more carbon deposits and exhaust pollution, which is bad for urban air quality. I've changed my approach now: after starting the car, I wait 15-20 seconds for the RPM to stabilize, then drive off at low speed to let the engine warm up faster while moving. This not only saves money on fuel but also protects internal components, avoiding long-term carbon buildup that leads to maintenance issues. In short, modern automotive design has advanced—driving to warm up is more practical and eco-friendly than idling.
