Is it bad to let your engine idle for awhile?

Question

Is it bad or does it just plain waste gas? I usually let my car idle for awhile before I take off to let the engine get off of the cold mark. I'm also looking into a remote car starter that would run for about 10 mins or however long you set it before shutting off again. So that leads to my question.

Answer 1

Idling is not the recommended way to warm up the car you should start the car, wait 30-60 seconds and drive off slowly, the load on the engine will make the car warm up quicker and actually reduce engine wear. Besides when you idle a car you are getting exactly zero miles per gallon and you are polluting the air for no reason. Some municipalities are putting idling bylaws in place.

Answer 2

Its not really bad for your car, except when ever the engine is running, there is always going to wear and tear on the pistons and other internal parts, thats why its better to turn off your engine when you park the car instead of idling it for a long time while you wait for someone, another thing is that you'll be wasting gas when you let the engine idle like that, but besides that, there is no significant harm in letting the engine idle or getting a remote starter/timer. If you are in cold whether, than it is actually pretty good to have the engine warm up so that it will perform optimally instead of die on you in the middle of the road, you might need to let an older car idle longer to get the engine to operatable temp, but on a modern car, that issue doens't really matter.

Answer 3

I try and let my engine run for a minute just to let the oil start circulating. I also have the remote start, but I only use it in really cold weather. If you let you car sit for a week or two at a time, the remote starter will drain the battery. If you drive it daily or bi-daily, it will be no problem.

Answer 4

Its actually good to warm up your car before driving it, if your cooling system is working properly. The oil will not flow as well cold as it will warm, and as soon as you put in in drive/1st gear it puts a load on the engine. Idling your car before driving it will make it last longer. However, in the world we live in, its not safe to idle in the parking lot. Thats how people get mugged and rapped.

So to answer your question, it only wastes gas.

Answer 5

ISOLATE the undertaking affordably AND immediately: USE the motor vehicle'S HEADLIGHTS as a substitute of A METER: turn on the headlights. If the lights do not activate, the battery is undesirable. The lights shouldn't dim plenty on an identical time as the motor vehicle is off (or the battery will possibly not be charged or could be defective). With the headlights on, attempt to initiate the motor vehicle. If the lights dim out thoroughly, the battery desires to be charged (or replaced if it won't be able to be charged). If the lights do not dim in any respect, the starter isn't drawing the terrific suited quantity of modern-day (so probably the unbiased secure practices swap is undesirable, or the the starter solenoid isn't beautiful, or according to risk the starter circuit is open). If the starter turns, examine to ensure in case you get spark (ideally employing a timing easy on any spark plug). in case you have become spark, you may have a gas subject. in case you at the instant are not getting spark, you may honestly discover out why and fasten it. it somewhat is obtainable that the engine seized (won't rotate).

Answer 6

its ok to warm up your car, but with a hot engine you dont have cool air coming in its just using up hot air so it runs worse while sitting there

Answer 7

Really you only waste gas.