What Does Car Idle Speed Refer To?
2 Answers
Car idle speed is not a type of speed but rather a working condition, where the engine runs without any load. Idle speed can be very harmful to a car. Here are several methods to determine car idle speed issues: 1. Oil dipstick wobbling. When the car is idling, the oil dipstick will not be as clear as usual and may appear double, which is easy to notice. 2. Severe fluctuation in idle speed expectation. This can be detected via the engine tachometer or by reading data blocks. Normally, the speed fluctuates around the idle speed expectation, and a significant deviation indicates a problem. 3. Abnormal body vibration. This is the most obvious sign. If the car body vibrates unusually, it suggests an issue with the idle speed.
Car idling, simply put, is when the car is stationary but the engine is still running. For example, when waiting at a red light or parked on the roadside, the engine operates at a low speed, typically between 700 to 1000 RPM, providing power for the air conditioning and electrical systems. If the idle is unstable, the car may noticeably shake or even stall, often caused by carbon buildup in the throttle body or aging spark plugs. It's recommended to avoid prolonged idling during daily driving—turn off the engine if idling exceeds one minute to save fuel and prevent carbon buildup. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the air filter and idle control valve, can prevent these minor issues. In winter, the idle speed may be higher during a cold start but will normalize quickly, so there's no need to worry unnecessarily.