What is the typical idle fuel consumption for a car?
2 Answers
Based on current general vehicle displacements of 1.5-1.8 liters, the idle fuel consumption per hour is approximately 1-2 liters. Here are some additional details: 1. If the air conditioning is running in summer, the idle fuel consumption will be even higher. 2. Generally, gasoline engines idle at around 800 RPM, while diesel engines idle at around 500 RPM. 3. The higher the engine displacement, the more fuel is consumed per hour at idle. Therefore, when waiting for someone for an extended period, it's better to turn off the engine rather than letting it idle. Prolonged idling not only increases fuel consumption but also leads to incomplete combustion, causing carbon buildup. 4. If fuel efficiency is a priority, consider choosing a vehicle with an auto start-stop feature when purchasing. At traffic lights, the vehicle can automatically shut off to save fuel, although the air conditioning system will stop blowing cold air during this time. To restart the engine, simply press the accelerator lightly, and the engine will automatically ignite. In stop-and-go city traffic, the auto start-stop feature can save a significant amount of fuel.
As someone who has driven for many years, I can tell you that idling fuel consumption typically ranges between 0.8 to 1.2 liters per hour. This mainly depends on the engine displacement and vehicle type—for example, small family cars may use less fuel at idle, around 0.7 liters/hour, but with the air conditioning on, it can spike to over 1 liter. My car is an old Jetta with a 1.6-liter engine, and in the summer, when parked with the AC on, it shows a fuel consumption of 1.3 liters. Factors affecting this include temperature and engine condition; newer cars are more efficient and consume less fuel, while older cars may use more due to wear. I recommend minimizing idling time—turn off the engine if waiting at a red light for more than a minute to save fuel and reduce emissions. Developing this habit can save you hundreds in fuel costs annually and also prevent carbon buildup in the engine.
