What does idle mean on a car

Warm up the cabin interior by driving, not idling. Easing into your drive is also the best way to get your vehicle's heating system delivering warmer air faster.

Sitting in an idling car means you are breathing in more of the dirty exhaust that leaks into the car cabin. Any warmth you may get from a car heater is not worth the damage to your health. If parked and waiting, it is healthier to get out of your car and go inside a store or building. Protect your car engine by idling less. Frequent restarts are no longer hard on a car's engine and battery.

Idling actually increases overall engine wear by causing the car to operate for longer than necessary. Reasons to stop idling A simple turn of your key can keep the air cleaner and save money and fuel. Every time you turn off your car engine in place of idling, you'll: Make the air healthier by cutting down on hazardous pollution in your town or community. Idling tailpipes spew out the same pollutants as moving cars.

These pollutants have been linked to serious human illnesses including asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. A long list of systems, components and electronics can cause a rough idle. Ultimately, everything from the ignition and fuel injection systems, to valves and pistons can cause a rough idle. A few of the most common components include:. What to Look For: A rough, inconsistent start, bouncy idle and a lack of power when accelerating.

The idle speed feels slower than usual. What to Look For: A bad fuel pump can cause difficulty when starting the vehicle, a rough idle, and stalling. What to Look For: A lousy temperature sensor results in rough idle during cold starts.

Once warm, the problem may be less noticeable. What to Look For: Rough idle is one of the first symptoms to appear, followed by sputtering on acceleration or even stalling, as the problem worsens. What to Look For: Rough idle, slow acceleration, sputtering or a lack of power on acceleration are all symptoms of a leak in the vacuum system. What to Look For: In addition to rough idle, reduced fuel economy, knocking noises, and slow acceleration may also be present. What to Look For: Your car may struggle to turn over and will idle rough once it does.

This is often one of the first symptoms of a deeper problem. So when should you take it in for diagnostics? In Toronto, there is actually a bylaw in place that prohibits drivers from idling for longer than a minute during a sixty-minute period. Some other major Canadians cities, such as Ottawa and Vancouver, have similar restrictions in place.

Idling fumes can lead to a number of major health concerns, as they have been linked to asthma, an overall decrease in lung function, cardiac disease, and even cancer. Simply put, they are horrible to breathe in.