What are the effects of prolonged idling on a car?
2 Answers
Effects of prolonged idling on a car: 1. If the engine remains idling for a long time, the throttle opening will be very small, while the fuel injector will spray highly concentrated fuel to maintain engine operation. Therefore, prolonged idling will inevitably lead to more severe engine carbon buildup. Engine carbon deposits directly affect the car's power and comfort. 2. During idling, the car's fuel consumption is quite high. According to tests, idling for three minutes consumes fuel equivalent to driving one kilometer. In other words, idling for two hours can consume almost 2-3 liters of fuel. 3. When the engine is idling, the temperature and pressure inside the cylinders are relatively low, prolonging the preparation time for fuel ignition. Additionally, the cylinder sealing performance decreases at this time, making it easier to produce knocking sounds and shortening the engine's lifespan. 4. During prolonged idling, the engine's air-fuel mixture concentration is too high, and the oxygen content in the exhaust gas is low. The unburned mixture may combust at the three-way catalytic converter location, which can easily damage the three-way catalytic converter.
I've been driving for many years and noticed many people like to let their cars idle for long periods, such as warming up the engine in winter or waiting at intersections for extended times. This is actually quite harmful to the car. The most obvious issue is fuel wastage—the engine burns gasoline while idling but the car doesn't move, wasting money for nothing. Carbon buildup is also a serious problem. Incomplete combustion during idling causes oil residue to accumulate inside the engine, which can clog fuel lines and reduce horsepower over time, making repairs troublesome. Additionally, engine wear increases as oil circulates more slowly at idle, failing to properly lubricate pistons and bearings, leading to premature aging. It's also bad for the battery, as the alternator output is insufficient during idling, potentially causing excessive discharge and shortening battery life. It's advisable to idle only briefly, turning off the engine after a minute or two to protect the car and save money.
