Mercedes Mullins
The amount of fuel used by a car idling or ticking over depends on the engine, fuel, and technology. A 1-litre engine idling at 700 RPM will burn roughly a hundredth of a litre of petrol per minute. This means that in 10 minutes, it will burn a tenth of a litre. A bigger engine will draw in more air and burn more petrol. A 2.8-litre engine, for example, may use half a gallon of fuel per hour on tick over. However, this prolonged idling can cause damage to the engine, including cylinder bore glazing, and is not an efficient way to keep the engine warm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption | Between 0.5 and 1.5 litres per hour |
| Fuel consumption (1-litre engine at 700 RPM) | 0.1 litres per 10 minutes |
| Fuel consumption (2-litre engine at 700 RPM) | 0.2 litres per 10 minutes |
| Engine damage | Possible, depending on the engine, fuel, and technology |
| Engine glazing | Possible, especially with diesel engines |
| Carbon monoxide risk | Possible in confined areas |
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What You'll Learn
- A 2.8 td engine may use half a gallon per hour on tick over
- A 1-litre engine idling at 700 revs per minute burns a hundredth of a litre of petrol every minute
- Prolonged idling risks cylinder bore glazing
- Idling for fuel may harm your engine
- The amount of fuel used by a car which is idling depends on the engine, fuel and technology
A 2.8 td engine may use half a gallon per hour on tick over
A 2.8 td engine may use half a gallon of fuel per hour on tick-over. This is based on estimates from forum users, who suggest that the fuel usage is likely to be somewhere between 0.5 and 1 litre per hour. This will depend on how much load the engine is under.
Running an engine for an extended period at light load and low speed can cause cylinder bore glazing, which can be an expensive problem. This is why some forum users recommend using a small generator instead of letting the engine tick over for a long time.
One forum user mentions that they have seen a security guard sleep in his car with the engine on tick-over to keep warm. This practice can be inefficient and may not be safe, especially in a confined area, due to the potential risk of carbon monoxide.
Another user suggests that an unloaded diesel engine on tick-over may not cause damage but could result in the need for frequent servicing and maintenance. Therefore, while it is possible to run a 2.8 td engine on tick-over, it may not be advisable due to potential maintenance issues and fuel costs.
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A 1-litre engine idling at 700 revs per minute burns a hundredth of a litre of petrol every minute
The amount of fuel burned by a car that is idling depends on the engine, fuel, and technology. A 1-litre engine idling at 700 revolutions per minute (RPM) has 350 working cycles per minute, drawing in 87.5 litres of air per minute. At a 15:1 ratio, 87.5 litres of air weigh 107 grams at sea level, requiring 7 grams of petrol, or about a hundredth of a litre. Thus, a 1-litre engine idling at 700 RPM will burn approximately a hundredth of a litre of petrol per minute. This means that in 10 minutes, it will burn a tenth of a litre.
As engine size increases, so does fuel consumption. A good approximation for fuel consumption in larger engines is to divide the engine size by 10 to get the amount of fuel burned while idling for 10 minutes. For example, a 2-litre engine will burn 2 tenths of a litre in the same amount of time.
While idling a car engine may not burn a significant amount of fuel, there are other important factors to consider. Prolonged idling can cause engine wear and damage, especially in diesel engines, which are designed to be driven immediately after start-up. Idling can also lead to bore glazing, increasing the risk of engine failure and costly repairs. Additionally, idling a car engine for extended periods can produce carbon monoxide, which can be harmful if the car is parked in a confined area.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use alternative solutions such as a small generator, solar panels, or a battery bank, especially when needing to charge batteries or keep warm for extended periods. These options can provide more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions without risking damage to the vehicle.
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Prolonged idling risks cylinder bore glazing
Prolonged idling can lead to cylinder bore glazing, which can have negative consequences for engine performance and longevity. Cylinder bore glazing is a condition where hardened oil deposits fill the asperities in the cylinder hone markings, causing a loss of lubrication and protection. This results in a loss of engine power and increased oil consumption.
Bore glazing is particularly prevalent in engines that run idling for extended periods, such as generators, but it is also commonly attributed to marine engines. In four-stroke outboard engines, cylinder wall glazing often occurs as a result of prolonged and excessive low-rpm operation. This type of engine profile is considered severe duty, and more maintenance is required to keep cylinder glazing from occurring. Prolonged low-speed, low-temperature operation allows unburned fuel to seep past the piston rings and into the crankcase, thinning and reducing the lubricity of the engine oil, and promoting the possibility of low-hour bearing failure.
To prevent cylinder bore glazing, it is recommended to carefully select the generator set in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Regularly "load bank" your generators to create heat in the bore and reverse the early symptoms of glazing. If glazing has already occurred, it can be cured by stripping down the engine and re-boring the cylinder bores, machining new honing marks, and cleaning and de-coking combustion chambers, fuel injector nozzles, and valves.
While idling may not necessarily damage an unloaded diesel engine, it can lead to cylinder bore glazing and other issues. It is generally recommended to avoid prolonged idling and, instead, take the vehicle for a drive to reach optimal operating temperatures and avoid engine wear.
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Idling for fuel may harm your engine
Idling a vehicle's engine refers to running the engine when the vehicle is not in motion, such as when one is at a red light or stuck in traffic. While idling may seem harmless, it has several negative impacts. Idling can waste a lot of fuel and put harmful toxins into the environment. It can also cause damage to the engine.
Firstly, idling wastes fuel. The amount of fuel wasted depends on factors such as the vehicle's weight, engine size, and type of fuel. For example, a passenger car may waste 0.16 gallons of fuel per hour at the lower end and 0.39 gallons per hour at the higher end. Delivery trucks waste even more fuel, with 0.84 gallons of fuel wasted per hour when idling and 1.1 gallons per hour when idling with a load.
Secondly, idling releases harmful toxins into the environment. Engine idling contributes to poor air quality and environmental damage by releasing dangerous chemicals into the air. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for 4.2 million deaths each year.
Lastly, idling can harm your engine. When an engine idles for a prolonged period, chemicals can build up, leading to mechanical degradation and increased fuel consumption. Idling can also cause a buildup of carbon residue in the engine, as fuel is only partially combusted when the engine is not operating at its optimal temperature. This can lead to cylinder bore glazing, which is an expensive problem that can cause considerable engine wear. Idling also hampers airflow into the engine, leading to unstable engine temperatures, and can result in dirty oil that harms the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) filter, reducing vehicle performance and increasing gas emissions.
To reduce idling and its negative impacts, it is recommended to turn off the engine if you plan to idle for more than 10 seconds. While some people believe that restarting the engine uses more fuel and causes more wear, this is a common myth. Reducing idling time can help save fuel, reduce costs, and prolong engine life.
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The amount of fuel used by a car which is idling depends on the engine, fuel and technology
The amount of fuel used by a car that is idling depends on several factors, including the engine type and size, the fuel type, and the technology used in the vehicle.
For example, a car with a larger engine, such as a 4.6-liter engine, will typically consume more fuel at idle than a smaller engine. Additionally, diesel engines generally use less fuel while idling compared to gasoline engines. This is because diesel engines have a higher compression ratio and are more efficient at idle speeds. However, idling a diesel engine for extended periods can lead to carbon build-up and potential damage to the engine, as well as increased emissions.
The technology used in the vehicle also plays a role in fuel consumption while idling. Modern cars with advanced fuel injection systems and engine management technologies may be more efficient at idle than older cars with carbureted engines. Additionally, the load on the engine, such as running the air conditioning or other accessories, will impact fuel consumption while idling.
On average, a car may use around 0.5 to 1.5 liters of fuel per hour while idling, but this can vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned above. For example, a transit bus may consume nearly 1 gallon of fuel per hour while idling, while a small car with a modern engine may use less than half a liter per hour.
It is important to note that idling a car for extended periods is generally not recommended, as it can lead to increased fuel consumption, emissions, and potential damage to the engine. While it may be convenient to keep the engine running, it is more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly to turn off the engine when the car is not in motion.
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Frequently asked questions
A 1-litre engine idling at 700 revs per minute will burn roughly a hundredth of a litre of petrol per minute.
A 2.8-litre engine will likely use between 0.5 and 1 litre of fuel per hour on tick over.
A CDT engine will likely use between 1 and 1.5 litres of fuel per hour on tick over.
Running an engine on tick over for extended periods can cause engine wear and damage.
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