Is Idling Car Bad For Engine? Should I Let My Car Idle A Long Time? (Busted Myth)

Is idling car bad for engine? Car engine idle has been debated by many people, both drivers, and mechanics for years. This video answers the question of should you leave your car's engine idling for an extended period of time. If you do this, will it damage the engine or overheat? There are plenty of myths regarding the matter, so I simply tell you the truth and also give you some idling tips.

[infrasonicrebasses]

yo people this guy literally said nearly word for word from the guy who ACTUALLY gave out this information Kilmer

[localenterprisebroadcastin]

As a mechanic I can assure you there’s nothing wrong with idling ...99% of engine wear is during start up...nearly every engine failure occurs during changes in power settings IE acceleration or deceleration. Heat soaking occurs regardless of airflow so popping the hood only adds risk of forgetting to close it...as for emissions they’re negligible...modern catalytic converters work damn well...it does burn extra fuel but again fuel burn rate is pretty low at idle ...it would cost you about $1.75 per hour on most mid size vehicles

[DasReverend]

I idle when the temperatures are dangerous only. If a passenger isn't ready to go when I arrive, the engine turns off

[jajajaja]

I believe the plastic and wiring will start to wear faster . Your belt will wear faster the oil will get hotter and brake down sooner. the fan works along air flowing into the engine compartment.

[shopnoraj]

A fantastic explanation within just 3 minutes

[electric]

When your engine is idling, it's running cooler as well. In cold weather this can be a major problem, as combustion is less efficient at low idle. This means more unburned fuel, incompletely-burned fuel, and ash are being produced, and unburned fuel can also result in washing away that oil film that is supposed to be on your cylinder walls. Also, when your engine is new or freshly rebuilt, the cylinders will have a crosshatch (a series of fine grooves) honed into them that run at an angle (not vertically), and this is designed to help the oil "stick" to the sides of the cylinder walls and lubricate the cylinders. Excessive idling can allow the soot and ash that gets into those grooves to cake up inside the grooves and glaze (polish smooth) the cylinder walls. This can then increase blow-by and crankcase pressure in your engine. At that point you would need to get the cylinders bored out and have sleeves installed, or have your cylinder liners replaced, or have the cylinder walls de-glazed by running them over with a ball hone and drill.

[chrisreed]

Thank you!! I have tried to explain this to the people in the Van Dwellers page till I'm blue in the face! There are those certain old types that say it's bad to idle for an extended period..When I was a teen in the 80's I would skip sunday school and take mom's keys to our 1980 Camaro V-8 305 4bbl gas engine and sit for TWO HOURS with the A/C on full blast in the heat of FL sun!! Never ran hot! What helped I think was the clutch driven fan..there was no secondary electric fan though...Maybe I'm lucky it never did run hot!!! Since then, every auto I have had I have always had no issue idling for extended periods of time and when I do camp overnight in a van or car whatever I have, I will sleep with the A/C on or the heat on without worry..even moreso thanks to your confirmation!! I tried to explain to them all that newer cars don't just run hot!!! There are safety failsafes in place..even back in the 90's Ford 4.6 V-8 had what was called Fail-Safe cooling where the cylinders would alternate operation to allow cooling of a hot engine..something to this effect anyway..look it up for better idea!

[mr.e.]

Another problem with idling your engine for long periods of time is that the fuel mixture burn isn't as efficient, as the engine would have a load. Plus the un-burned fuel is washing away the oil from the cylinder walls, causing excessive engine wear. Also the un-burned fuel is getting to the catalytic converters which can plug them up, or burn them up faster than normal.

[pdswrld]

Is idling is when the motor is making a clicking sound ?

[TafariMosi]

The big difference between taxis and Ubers is that there is no need to drive around searching for rides. Save your gas. Pull over and turn the car off. You won't be waiting long realistically but some people may feel York need to drive to a possible but area or venue. Rides come from everywhere. Sit and wait. Patience is a big key to driving and preserving fuel.

[welcometoreality]

how bout if your car runs a bit rich & or idle in winter to burn off excess gas in oil? most ppl dont drive cars on highway long enough to burn off excess gas in oil & condensation in engine

[epicnavigator]

Why nobody is talking about the engine oil worn out while idling?
If you idle a lot you have to consider changing your engine oil earlier

[eliaspineda]

Are you a mechanic? Is it OK to let my car idle while it's cold outside in CANADA, NOVEMBER, cold weather while I'm on lunch? Did it damage the valve rings in the same rpm for 30 mins?

[keifuchan]

Isn't idling bad for your spark plugs? I remember another mechanic pointing how to read different kinds of spark plug wear and one was explained as an engine that was idled too much.

[seannews]

I got 645 idle hours in my 2018 f150 2.7 ecoboost... I've ran this truck for 4 day's with out ever shutting it off... also using mobil one 20k oil and changing oil every 20k...

[benjaminfrankliniii]

He's literally just copied almost word for word from Scotty killer

[AntonioRamirez-jwhm]

Is this also recommended for v8 3500 engines?
My RPMs are above one thousand. Shifting causes my transmission to kick.

[palemonvazquez]

Questions I own a Honda 2021 Accord Hybrid I eccedently let the car running with heater on for 3 hours. My concern is if it could cause any problems to the car? By the way the weather temperature was 45 degrees Should I be worried? 😢

[ukt]

You literally repeat EVERYTHING Scott does

[Lockinbob]

True, but when you idle your car it's running at such a low RPM your oil pump pumps slower therefore it's pumping less oil throughout the engine and eventually it will make your car run rougher. If your car has a big V8 though then who cares