I’ve heard so many people say that idling your car or truck for a long period of time is bad for it. I have 30min lunch Breaks at work and I sit in my truck and have it idle for 25min tops (2004 Ford Ranger, 4.0l V6, 88k+ miles). Is this bad for it?
I think a lot of these "people say" ideas are based on how car engines USED to work. Back in the days of carburetors and points ignitions, engines would build up carbon deposits and such. With fuel injection, electronic ignition, engine computers - that's not such a problem.
If you run the engine, it will eventually wear out. If you never run the engine, it will last forever, but then what's the point of having a car?
I do it all the time, often for hours on end. Just change the oil more frequently (I change it every 3000 miles) and keep up with regular maintenance.
30 minutes is nothing, sometimes I’m stuck in traffic for longer than that, at the same spot..
Thank you. I Always change the oil every 3k miles. Thank you for the comment.
No worries.
No, it isn't. Think of all the emergency and service vehicles that need to idle for long periods of time (a lot longer than 30 mins).
I never thought about that, thank you.
As long as your cooling system is up to par, you're only wasting your gas and possibly making the engine run less efficiently from carbon buildup over time. If you notice it idling rougher, an occasional Italian Tuneup should clean it out. I put 50-60 mi a day on my '99 Ranger 3.0 V6 w/ 271k. All highway and country roads. She purrs like a kitten.
