What is the general idle speed of a car?
2 Answers
The general idle speed of a car is between 550 and 800 revolutions per minute. When the engine is running, if the accelerator pedal is completely released, the engine enters the idle state. During idle speed adjustment, the RPM should not fluctuate abruptly, as this can cause premature wear to the engine. It is recommended to have the idle speed adjusted at an automotive repair facility. Idle speed can be categorized into normal idle and driving idle. Engine maintenance methods include: 1. Using high-quality engine oil; 2. Using qualified coolant; 3. Regularly cleaning the radiator scale; 4. Periodically removing carbon deposits from the car; 5. Timely replacement of the car's three filters (air, oil, and fuel filters); 6. Maintaining a reasonable engine speed.
I've been driving for several years and feel that normal idle speed fluctuates between 600 to 1000 RPM. During cold starts in the morning, the engine sounds louder and the RPM surges up to 1500, then gradually drops to around 800 after a few minutes—this is to protect the engine by allowing it to warm up quickly. In hot weather, it generally stabilizes between 700-900 RPM. If the idle is steady, there's no need to worry about fuel consumption, as it only uses about 0.5 liters per hour. If the RPM fluctuates abnormally or there's unusual shaking, it could indicate severe carbon buildup or sensor issues. As a car owner, I regularly clean the throttle body and check the air filter to prevent idle problems from affecting driving safety.
