What are the hazards of prolonged idling without driving to a car?
2 Answers
Here are the specific impacts of prolonged idling on a car: 1. If the engine idles for a long time, the throttle opening is small, and the injector sprays high-concentration fuel to ensure the engine runs. Therefore, idling itself is more likely to cause carbon deposits than high-speed driving. Prolonged idling leads to severe carbon deposits in the engine, directly affecting the car's power and comfort. 2. The fuel consumption is high during idling. Three minutes of idling consumes fuel equivalent to driving one kilometer. 3. When the engine idles, the temperature and pressure in the cylinders are low, prolonging the fuel ignition preparation time. Additionally, the cylinder sealing performance decreases at this time, making it prone to knocking sounds and shortening the engine's lifespan. 4. Prolonged idling results in an overly rich air-fuel mixture in the engine. The exhaust gas contains low oxygen levels, and the unburned mixture combusts at the three-way catalytic converter location, which can easily damage the three-way catalytic converter.
Having driven for decades, I've found that prolonged idling can cause significant harm. When the engine idles, combustion is incomplete, leading to carbon deposits accumulating on the valves and pistons. Over time, this can clog internal components, reducing performance and making the engine harder to start. Fuel waste is also severe—idling burns 0.3 to 0.5 liters of fuel per hour while stationary, essentially throwing money away. Poor temperature management, due to lack of airflow for cooling, can lead to overheating or heat buildup, shortening the lifespan of the cooling system. Internal wear increases, with components like bearings and seals deteriorating faster, doubling maintenance costs. The battery charges inefficiently, and frequent idling can leave the car stranded. Worse yet, it produces excessive exhaust emissions, polluting the environment. My advice: turn off the engine if parked for over a minute—it saves hassle, money, and the planet.
