What are the impacts of leaving the car running for 4 hours without turning it off?
3 Answers
The impacts of leaving the car running for 4 hours without turning it off: First, it will affect the engine. If the vehicle remains in a parked but not turned-off state for a long time, the engine will operate at low RPM for an extended period, increasing carbon deposits on the piston and valves, leading to unstable idling or other adverse effects. In severe cases, it may even affect the engine's lifespan. When the engine operates at low RPM, the leakage between the valves and piston rings increases, and the intake vortex weakens, resulting in poor fuel atomization and incomplete combustion. The contact time between the combustion gases in the cylinder and the cylinder wall increases, raising heat dissipation losses, and oil mist becomes difficult to disperse, significantly increasing the engine's fuel consumption.
Last time I made the same mistake when parking, I forgot to turn off the engine for a full four hours. The biggest issue was the pointless fuel consumption—the fuel gauge dropped noticeably, and I probably wasted over a hundred bucks on useless fuel, money just gone like that. Keeping the engine running leads to excessive heat, which can damage the lubrication system and shorten the engine’s lifespan, meaning costly repairs down the line. It also wastes electricity, as prolonged charging can age the battery, potentially leaving you stranded next time you try to start. Safety is even more critical—if parked in a garage or enclosed space, exhaust buildup can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly. I’ve learned my lesson and now make it a habit to always check the indicator lights before getting out.
Sigh, I've personally experienced this – forgetting to turn off the engine for four hours is really not worth it. First, fuel consumption skyrocketed, burning through a third of a tank for nothing, equivalent to wasting around a hundred bucks into thin air. Idling for so long accelerates wear on internal engine components like spark plugs and pistons, and the repair bill comes knocking soon after. It also pollutes the environment, emitting several times more exhaust than normal driving, which is bad for air quality and the climate. Running the AC in summer drains even more power, and battery overheating shortens its lifespan. My advice? Get an app reminder tool to easily avoid such oversights.
