What does the little mouse in the car mean?
2 Answers
The little mouse inside the car refers to the fuel-consuming configuration of the vehicle, mainly the engine start-stop technology. Engine start-stop technology automatically shuts off the engine when the car comes to a temporary stop during driving, such as at a red light. When it's time to move forward again, the system automatically restarts the engine. The working principle of the start-stop system is that when the car stops moving due to traffic congestion or at an intersection, the driver presses the brake pedal and shifts to neutral. At this point, the Start/Stop system automatically checks: the engine is idling and not in gear; the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock system show zero; the electronic battery sensor indicates there is enough energy for the next start. Once these three conditions are met, the engine automatically stops running. Start-stop technology increases fuel consumption. It is primarily used in traffic jam situations where the engine is mostly warm. Starting a warm engine itself doesn't consume much fuel. The engine can start at 350 RPM, which is nearly half the idle speed. Assuming there are no other loads besides the engine's internal resistance during the starting process and necessary equipment such as transmission losses, the fuel consumption is less than during idle conditions.
I remember driving for over ten years, and the car would make this squeaking noise while running, really like a little mouse scurrying around. The issue is mostly with the air conditioning system. Especially in older cars, when the belt is loose or the bearings are worn, the fan can make this noise when the AC is on. There’s also the worry of foreign objects falling into the fan blades—I once had a small stone stuck in there, and after cleaning it out, the noise stopped immediately. I recommend regularly checking the belt tension and the fan. Replacing a new belt doesn’t cost much, so don’t let these annoying noises bother you! Regular maintenance can prevent such issues—don’t wait until small problems become big ones to regret it.
