What are the effects of prolonged idling on a car?
4 Answers
The effects of prolonged idling on a car: 1. With extended idling time, the engine takes longer to reach normal operating temperature. When gasoline is injected onto the back of the valves, its evaporation slows down, leading to carbon buildup; 2. Frequent idling reduces the airflow entering the engine, weakening the scouring effect on carbon deposits and promoting their accumulation. Prolonged idling refers to the engine running for extended periods without load, meaning the car is in neutral gear with the engine operating for a long time. There are many hazards associated with prolonged idling, including poor engine cooling, increased emissions, susceptibility to carbon buildup, and higher fuel consumption.
I'm quite concerned about prolonged idling. When the car engine runs idle, incomplete combustion occurs, producing more harmful gases like carbon monoxide, which are directly emitted into the air, polluting the urban environment and affecting everyone's health. From an economic perspective, idling wastes 1-2 liters of fuel per hour, which adds up to significant unnecessary expenses over time. It also leads to carbon buildup in the engine, increasing internal wear and shortening its lifespan. I remember once being stuck in traffic for an hour without moving, and the fuel consumption skyrocketed. Later, I had to spend a lot on repairs to replace the spark plugs. I recommend turning off the engine while waiting or using the auto start-stop system to save fuel, protect the environment, and safeguard engine components.
As someone who works with engines every day, I've seen many cases of damage caused by idling. When an engine runs at low RPM for extended periods, the temperature doesn't get high enough, fuel doesn't burn completely, and carbon deposits accumulate like a layer of garbage inside the engine, clogging spark plugs and affecting ignition. Piston rings wear out faster and may even deform. This leads to increased fuel consumption, reduced power, and skyrocketing repair costs. For example, don't warm up your car for more than two minutes in winter, otherwise severe carbon buildup could cost you thousands to clean. It's recommended to drive at high speeds periodically or turn off the engine during short trips to avoid engine failure.
I've been driving for over a decade and know idling brings no benefits. Engine idling wastes fuel, consuming half a liter every ten minutes – calculate a few traffic jams daily and you're spending dozens extra on gas. Long-term idling accelerates engine wear, causes spark plug coking making starts difficult – I once idled too long and nearly broke down on the highway. Worst is the environmental impact, with exhaust directly polluting the air. My advice: shut off the engine when waiting, it's worth the small effort to save money, avoid headaches, and extend your car's lifespan.
