Letting Your Car Idle: Is It Really That Bad?

Letting your car idle has the effect of putting extra miles on your car without turning the odometer. An internal combustion engine undergoes wear and tear whenever it's running, which means idling your car is building on the gradual breakdown of your engine. It also causes the camshaft bearings to wear out sooner, which creates a repair situation you want to avoid due to cost and inconvenience.

Is it ever safe to let your engine idle? The answer is "it depends". Read on to learn more about the situations where you can let your engine idle and when you should shut off your car.

Why Engine Idling is Bad for Your Car as a General Rule

Engines are made up of moving parts that rotate together in close timing and tolerances. Lubricants such as oil or viscous fluids work to minimize friction between these parts. Over time, various parts of the engine wear out and require replacement. Using your car as intended enables you to get the maximum lifespan from the engine and its systems.

Letting your car idle for a period of time isn't going to have a major effect on your vehicle as it's designed to idle. Idling becomes an issue when the engine is left to run for 20 minutes or longer on a regular basis. An idling engine allows carbon and chemical buildup inside the engine that affects its overall performance, can damage its control units, and result in the buildup of residue that damage the exhaust.

Another problem that comes from an idling engine is pollution and wasted gasoline. Your car is emitting exhaust while idling, and the particulates that are exiting the tailpipe are more concentrated due to improper gasoline combustion.

Letting Your Engine Idle to Warm it Up is a Bad Idea

Engine technology has changed greatly over the past couple of decades. Auto manufacturers and mechanics used to recommend letting the car idle and warm up during winter. Idling helped to get the oil thinned out for better performance on cold days, and carburetors operated better. This also had the added benefit of a warm car interior on frosty days.

The introduction of fuel-injected systems meant that cars warmed up more quickly than they once did. However, old habits die hard and car owners let their fuel-injected cars idle before driving anywhere.

How long is too long to let the engine idle?

Engines are designed to tolerate idling for about 20 minutes before their performance is altered by sitting for too long. You can let your car sit and idle for a few minutes if you need to make a call or check your phone and not impact your engine or the environment.

Idling in Cold Weather Can Make Your Car Inefficient

Cars are designed to operate under pressure, as it were. Instead of letting your car warm up through idling, get in and drive shortly after you turn your engine over. The engine starts sending out heat through the HVAC system in less time than it would if it was idling, and you won't waste time as you start your day's journeys.

Keep Your Car Running Efficiently with Help from Poston Motors

At Poston Motors, we want to help you get the most from your car through top-quality car repairs in Cumming. We can provide guidance and solutions for any maintenance or repair needs you may have regarding your engine's performance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your car running smoothly for years to come.