What does it mean to press the accelerator without starting the engine?
3 Answers
Pressing the accelerator without starting the engine means stepping on the gas pedal when the car is not running. Relevant explanations are as follows: 1. Applicable situations: In cold winter, the atomization effect of the fuel injector is poor, and some low-end cars are not easy to start. You can press the accelerator without starting the engine to increase the fuel injection volume, making it easier to start the car. 2. Disadvantages of pressing the accelerator without starting the engine: If you press the accelerator when the engine is not running, it is easy to flood the spark plugs, causing the car not to start. Over time, the engine temperature will rise rapidly, and the cooling effect of the radiator will become very poor without cold air coming in. In severe cases, it may burn the big and small bearings under the piston, and it also has adverse effects on the belt and gears.
Flooring the gas pedal means pressing the accelerator when the car is stationary or in neutral, causing the engine RPM to surge instantly without movement, producing a roaring sound. I often discuss this topic online with fellow car enthusiasts, as many young people enjoy doing it to listen to the engine sound or test vehicle performance, especially in the modified car community. However, as an automotive enthusiast, I must remind you that doing this frequently accelerates engine component wear, increases fuel consumption, and raises emissions, harming the environment. A related tip is that during winter warm-ups, idling the engine for dozens of seconds instead of revving it aggressively, followed by a few minutes of low-speed driving, allows natural warm-up. Modern vehicles with ECU control have optimized this process. Occasional use during professional inspections is understandable, but avoid making it a daily habit to protect your car, save fuel, and reduce costs.
As a new driver who just got my license, I tried revving the engine in neutral at a parking lot last time, and the loud engine noise startled me. That's when I realized it's just about stepping hard on the accelerator to increase RPM while the car isn't moving. My instructor told me people used to do this to warm up the car and prevent freezing, but I found it unnecessary to go through all that trouble; a slow start followed by driving a short distance naturally warms up the engine. Long-term revving in neutral wastes fuel, increases noise pollution, and might even cause the engine to retire early, so I've developed the good habit of only using it slightly for emergency tests. After understanding this, I've become more mindful about controlling my right foot.
