What does it mean for a car to idle?
2 Answers
Car idling refers to the condition where the engine and wheels are in a power transmission state, the throttle is closed, and air enters the engine through the throttle gap and the idle adjustment bypass channel, meaning the car moves without pressing the accelerator. After ignition, the car enters the idling phase. If the car is running without pressing the accelerator, and the engine speed remains at the idling stage, it is idling. In the idling state, the engine only needs to overcome its internal friction resistance, with no other load, and does not output power externally. It is one of the basic operating conditions of the engine. It provides convenience for car owners in various driving and temporary parking situations, such as preventing the engine from stalling while waiting at a red light, while also contributing to energy saving and emission reduction.
Idling in a car refers to the vehicle slowly moving forward while the engine is still running, such as when you're inching forward in stop-and-go traffic or coasting without turning off the engine while waiting. I believe this is the state where the engine operates at its lowest RPM, typically maintaining around 800 to 1000 revolutions per minute, with fuel being injected but not completely burned. Idling most commonly occurs in long queues at traffic lights or when searching for a parking spot—you press the brake to stop, release it to move, and this cycle repeats endlessly. The issue is that it not only burns fuel inefficiently, consuming over 20% more than normal driving, but also easily leads to carbon buildup, increasing engine strain. It's advisable to avoid this situation whenever possible; if waiting for an extended period, just turn off the engine. In fact, many newer car models come with auto start-stop systems specifically designed to address this, saving fuel and being more environmentally friendly, though it may feel less smooth initially and require some getting used to. Developing good habits is crucial—don't let your engine keep humming away pointlessly.
