How Long Can a Car Idle and What Happens During Idling?

Do you ever think about how long can a car idle when waiting at a traffic sign or warming it up on a chilly morning? Idling is the state in which the engine runs but the vehicle is not in motion.

You sometimes need to idle the car, especially when you have not used it for a long time. The engine gets jammed when left idle for weeks or months.

Idling for a minute every week will keep the engine components and mechanism in shape. Diesel-run vehicles also need a few minutes of idling for clearing the exhaust of their fumes.

So how long can a car run idle in this condition? Does doing so burn too much fuel?

Experts on idling cars can assit here.