Is it bad to let my car idle for extended periods of time?

Dinner123 · 11-28-2019, 11:17 AM

Aside from the obvious greenhouse emission pollutants.
I sometimes work outside in below freezing temps and have to keep warm while I work and a car is the best option available to me.

So is it bad (mechanicaly) to let my 2010 impreza NA idle for extended periods of time to keep warm?

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oichan · 11-28-2019, 06:00 PM

I don't think there is a problem. When I use to carpool with my wife I found myself waiting for like an hour outside in the cold pretty frequently while idling. I just wasted fuel.

Scorpius · 11-28-2019, 06:01 PM

Mechanically, I wouldn't think so. How long are we talking letting it idle?

08redWRX · 11-28-2019, 08:43 PM

As long as normal maintenance is completed you wont have an issue. I have utilized cars for work with tons of engine time but no where near the miles to match due to them sitting still non-stop idling. Just keep up maintenance and you're good.

Jersey Man10 · 11-28-2019, 08:51 PM

At least minimum 30 seconds. You're just wasting fuel if you're idling for longer amounts of time.

Norm Peterson · 11-29-2019, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Man10

At least minimum 30 seconds. You're just wasting fuel if you're idling for longer amounts of time.

OP is not talking about idling to warm the car up. It's to warm him up while working outdoors in the winter. Note that he's in Canada . . .

Norm

Scorpius · 11-29-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

OP is not talking about idling to warm the car up. It's to warm him up while working outdoors in the winter. Note that he's in Canada . . .

Norm

It tends to get a wee bit nippy north of the border.

honeybucket · 11-29-2019, 05:02 PM

I would do oil changes a little more frequently than normal during the winter months you're doing this extended idling.

Supraru · 11-29-2019, 05:19 PM

Get an engine block heater and find somewhere to plug it in!

ThinWRX · 12-01-2019, 12:07 PM

I usually wait until the rpms start to drop and the oil temp is over 100 before I start moving.

Scorpius · 12-01-2019, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supraru

Get an engine block heater and find somewhere to plug it in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinWRX

I usually wait until the rpms start to drop and the oil temp is over 100 before I start moving.

Did either one of you read OP's post?

Rally344 · 12-01-2019, 08:07 PM

I also live in Canada and did a fair bit of research on this topic. Like others have said, all you need to do is wait about 30 seconds before driving. That's to ensure that oil has reached the valve train. I do however let my car idle for about 1-1.5 minutes just cuz I like too lol, give the parts some time to expand a smidge. Just idling does take longer for the engine to get up to temp as opposed to driving. In the end it doesn't really make a difference, as long as you don't bounce off the limiter right after starting lol!

In regards with letting idle to keep warm, I don't think it damages anything. It was designed with sitting in traffic in mind when it's crazy hot out.

ThinWRX · 12-01-2019, 08:13 PM

You will be fine, just wasting gas really.

carsebuco · 12-01-2019, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally344

I also live in Canada and did a fair bit of research on this topic. Like others have said, all you need to do is wait about 30 seconds before driving. That's to ensure that oil has reached the valve train. I do however let my car idle for about 1-1.5 minutes just cuz I like too lol, give the parts some time to expand a smidge. Just idling does take longer for the engine to get up to temp as opposed to driving. In the end it doesn't really make a difference, as long as you don't bounce off the limiter right after starting lol!

In regards with letting idle to keep warm, I don't think it damages anything. It was designed with sitting in traffic in mind when it's crazy hot out.

You could also do it like the other guy's dealership service guy did. Turn it on, immediately start driving and do a 2nd gear pull to redline to reach operating temps.

rtv900 · 12-02-2019, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supraru

Get an engine block heater and find somewhere to plug it in!

oddly enough, this thread is not the "should I let my car warm up"

it is a "can I sit in it on a job idling so I can use the heat"

whether he can plug it in or not, he can't sit and run the heat with the engine off block heater or not

Norm Peterson · 12-02-2019, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinWRX

You will be fine, just wasting gas really.

So what's your solution for OP keeping warm when he's working outdoors in the winter . . . in Canada???

Seems to me "wasting gas" would be preferable to frostbite.

Norm

raisingAnarchy · 12-02-2019, 12:23 PM

Idle the car so you can stay warm, it is just a car after all. Maybe consider following the severe service schedule for maintenance instead of the normal one, just because idling can potentially increase fuel dilution of the oil. (e.g: if your manual says 6k mile oil changes, it might have another suggestion for 3-4k miles under severe service)

Schoat333 · 12-02-2019, 01:05 PM

I have done it for years on all of my cars, and never had an issue. Like others have said, just do the maintenance regularly.

Gallo2011 · 12-02-2019, 03:46 PM

I live in So Cal where it's 66 degrees F right now.

I got nothin.

rtv900 · 12-02-2019, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

So what's your solution for OP keeping warm when he's working outdoors in the winter . . . in Canada???

well, let's be honest, it's not when he's working outdoors, it's when he's sitting in his car doing nothing.
I'm guessing in Canada they don't pay people to sit in warm cars as jobs.

pazzoduc · 12-02-2019, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtv900

well, let's be honest, it's not when he's working outdoors, it's when he's sitting in his car doing nothing.
I'm guessing in Canada they don't pay people to sit in warm cars as jobs.

How do you know he is doing nothing? He could be catching up on computer work, making phone calls or who knows what that he does for a living.

rtv900 · 12-02-2019, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pazzoduc

How do you know he is doing nothing? He could be catching up on computer work, making phone calls or who knows what that he does for a living.

the impression I got was that this was a solution for 'dead time' during working in remote outdoor locations. I'm not saying he's a bum and doesn't work at all.

sorry, just didn't seem like this was a question about a car being used as a mobile office

Scorpius · 12-02-2019, 11:00 PM

Well this thread took a turn for the worst.

jeffambo · 12-03-2019, 12:16 AM

Its more difficult for the car to cool itself as it relies on the 'wind' from motion to cool the radiator but these cars nowadays can easily take it. I'd like to see someone just idle for as long as possible and see how long they can go.

rtv900 · 12-03-2019, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffambo

Its more difficult for the car to cool itself as it relies on the 'wind' from motion to cool the radiator but these cars nowadays can easily take it. I'd like to see someone just idle for as long as possible and see how long they can go.

huh?

there are fans dude.
You can idle a car in 100 degree weather indefinitely and unless you have mechanical problems it will be fine

11-28-2019, 11:17 AM	#1
Dinner123 Scooby Newbie Member#: 503482 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: NE canada Vehicle: 2010 impreza	Is it bad to let my car idle for extended periods of time? Aside from the obvious greenhouse emission pollutants. I sometimes work outside in below freezing temps and have to keep warm while I work and a car is the best option available to me. So is it bad (mechanicaly) to let my 2010 impreza NA idle for extended periods of time to keep warm? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-28-2019, 06:00 PM	#2
oichan Scooby Specialist Member#: 492327 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: A garage in the Midwest Vehicle: 2019 WRX / 16 STI 2017 Golf-R, etc	I don't think there is a problem. When I use to carpool with my wife I found myself waiting for like an hour outside in the cold pretty frequently while idling. I just wasted fuel.

11-28-2019, 06:01 PM	#3
Scorpius Scooby Specialist Member#: 370806 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern Indiana Vehicle: 2019 WRX/STI DGM 2016 WRX/STI ISM	Mechanically, I wouldn't think so. How long are we talking letting it idle?

11-28-2019, 08:43 PM	#4
08redWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 186068 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Location: NC Vehicle: 2019 STi DGM	As long as normal maintenance is completed you wont have an issue. I have utilized cars for work with tons of engine time but no where near the miles to match due to them sitting still non-stop idling. Just keep up maintenance and you're good.

11-28-2019, 08:51 PM	#5
Jersey Man10 Scooby Newbie Member#: 427632 Join Date: Aug 2015 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Texas Vehicle: 2011 Impreza WRX Satin White Pearl	At least minimum 30 seconds. You're just wasting fuel if you're idling for longer amounts of time.

11-29-2019, 05:02 PM	#8
honeybucket Scooby Newbie Member#: 505996 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Asheville, NC	I would do oil changes a little more frequently than normal during the winter months you're doing this extended idling.

11-29-2019, 05:19 PM	#9
Supraru Scooby Specialist Member#: 23313 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Collegeville,Pa Vehicle: 99' 2.5Rs black	Get an engine block heater and find somewhere to plug it in!

12-01-2019, 12:07 PM	#10
ThinWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 401876 Join Date: Sep 2014 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MO Vehicle: 2008 WRX Satin White Pearl	I usually wait until the rpms start to drop and the oil temp is over 100 before I start moving.

12-01-2019, 08:07 PM	#12
Rally344 Scooby Newbie Member#: 508929 Join Date: Dec 2019	I also live in Canada and did a fair bit of research on this topic. Like others have said, all you need to do is wait about 30 seconds before driving. That's to ensure that oil has reached the valve train. I do however let my car idle for about 1-1.5 minutes just cuz I like too lol, give the parts some time to expand a smidge. Just idling does take longer for the engine to get up to temp as opposed to driving. In the end it doesn't really make a difference, as long as you don't bounce off the limiter right after starting lol! In regards with letting idle to keep warm, I don't think it damages anything. It was designed with sitting in traffic in mind when it's crazy hot out.

12-01-2019, 08:13 PM	#13
ThinWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 401876 Join Date: Sep 2014 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: MO Vehicle: 2008 WRX Satin White Pearl	You will be fine, just wasting gas really.

12-02-2019, 12:23 PM	#17
raisingAnarchy Scooby Newbie Member#: 408438 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: OH, USA Vehicle: 2016 WRX STi CBS	Idle the car so you can stay warm, it is just a car after all. Maybe consider following the severe service schedule for maintenance instead of the normal one, just because idling can potentially increase fuel dilution of the oil. (e.g: if your manual says 6k mile oil changes, it might have another suggestion for 3-4k miles under severe service)

12-02-2019, 01:05 PM	#18
Schoat333 Scooby Newbie Member#: 452248 Join Date: Aug 2016 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cleveland Ohio Vehicle: 2017 Base WRX WRB	I have done it for years on all of my cars, and never had an issue. Like others have said, just do the maintenance regularly.

12-02-2019, 03:46 PM	#19
Gallo2011 Scooby Guru Member#: 268310 Join Date: Dec 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: So Kali Vehicle: 2011 SSM STI saloon Church!	I live in So Cal where it's 66 degrees F right now. I got nothin.

12-02-2019, 11:00 PM	#23
Scorpius Scooby Specialist Member#: 370806 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern Indiana Vehicle: 2019 WRX/STI DGM 2016 WRX/STI ISM	Well this thread took a turn for the worst.

12-03-2019, 12:16 AM	#24
jeffambo Scooby Newbie Member#: 507933 Join Date: Nov 2019 Vehicle: 13 WRX Hatch Black	Its more difficult for the car to cool itself as it relies on the 'wind' from motion to cool the radiator but these cars nowadays can easily take it. I'd like to see someone just idle for as long as possible and see how long they can go.