What Are the Hazards of Idling for 2 Hours to a Car?

[SophiaRose]

Idling for 2 hours can cause several hazards 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 a long time, 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 almost 2–3 liters of fuel. Catalytic Converter Damage: Prolonged idling results in an overly rich air-fuel mixture in the engine, leading to low oxygen content in the exhaust gases. The unburned mixture may combust at the catalytic converter, which can easily damage it.