What Are the Hazards of 2 Hours of Idling to a Car?
2 Answers
Idling for 2 hours can cause harm to a car, including carbon buildup, excessive fuel consumption, and damage to the catalytic converter. The specific hazards are as follows: Carbon Buildup: If the engine runs at idle for an extended period, the throttle opening will be very small, and the fuel injector will spray highly concentrated fuel to keep the engine running. Therefore, idling itself is more likely to cause carbon buildup compared to driving or highway speeds. Prolonged idling will inevitably lead to more severe carbon buildup in the engine, directly affecting the car's power and comfort. Excessive Fuel Consumption: According to tests, idling for three minutes consumes fuel equivalent to driving one kilometer. This means that idling for 2 hours can consume nearly 2–3 liters of fuel. Catalytic Converter Damage: Extended idling results in an overly rich air-fuel mixture in the engine, leading to low oxygen levels in the exhaust. The unburned mixture can ignite at the catalytic converter, easily causing damage to it.
Idling for two hours can cause significant harm, with engine carbon buildup being the most common issue I encounter. When a car idles, incomplete combustion occurs, leading to carbon deposits accumulating in the cylinders and on the fuel injectors. Over time, this reduces engine power and increases fuel consumption. Two hours of idling will undoubtedly worsen the situation, potentially causing difficulties in starting or intensified engine vibrations. Additionally, it wastes a considerable amount of fuel—while the consumption per minute may seem minimal, the cumulative fuel usage is substantial, essentially burning money for no reason. I recommend avoiding prolonged idling while waiting; instead, turn off the engine or use the vehicle's equipment for short-term preheating. From my experience, I've seen cases where excessive idling required major repairs, with carbon cleaning costing several hundred dollars. Regular maintenance and cleaning can help mitigate the issue, but the best approach is to avoid prolonged idling altogether to protect the car and save money in the long run.