Why does the idle speed also increase when starting the car in summer?
2 Answers
In summer, as the temperature rises, the vehicle's idle speed increases to protect its engine. The higher idle speed also serves to warm up the engine and improve combustion efficiency. Here is some relevant information about the engine: 1. Introduction: The car engine is the device that provides power to the automobile, acting as the heart of the car. It determines the vehicle's power, fuel efficiency, stability, and environmental performance. Common gasoline and diesel engines are both types of reciprocating piston internal combustion engines. 2. Classification: Based on the power source, car engines can be categorized into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, and hybrid engines, among others.
When I start my car in summer, I often notice that the idle speed is higher than usual, mainly because the engine needs to stabilize its temperature more quickly. During hot summer days, internal engine components like pistons and cylinders are already quite warm, so a cold start isn't entirely cold. The ECU automatically increases the idle speed to reduce shaking. This involves adjustments to the idle control valve—when the ECU detects the temperature, it injects more fuel, causing the idle speed to rise. Back when I drove an older car, I also encountered situations where dirty sensors led to inaccurate readings. Regularly checking the cooling system and cleaning the throttle body can prevent such issues; otherwise, prolonged high idle speeds can affect fuel consumption. After turning on the AC in summer, the compressor adds extra load, but even when the AC is off during startup, this high idle speed phenomenon remains common.
