Idle speed
Encyclopedia
Idle speed is the rotational speed the engine runs on when the engine is uncoupled to the drivetrain and the throttle pedal isn't depressed (generally measured in revolutions per minute, or rpm, of the crankshaft
) of a combustion
engine
. At idle speed, the engine generates enough power
to run reasonably smoothly and operate its ancillaries (water pump
, alternator
, and, if equipped, other accessories such as power steering
), but usually not enough to perform useful work, such as moving an automobile
. For a passenger-car engine, idle speed is customarily between 600 rpm
and 1,000 rpm.
If the engine is operating a large number of accessories, particularly air conditioning
, the idle speed must be raised to ensure that the engine generates enough power to run smoothly and operate the accessories. Most air conditioning-equipped engines have an automatic adjustment feature in the carburetor
or fuel injection
system that raises the idle when the air conditioning is running.
Engines modified for power at high engine speeds, such as auto racing
engines, tend to have very rough idle unless the idle speed is raised significantly.
In addition to this setting the idle speed too slow can result in very low oil pressure when the engine is hot, resulting in faster wear and possible seizure.
Crankshaft
The crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
) of a combustion
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
. At idle speed, the engine generates enough power
Power (physics)
In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. For example, the rate at which a light bulb transforms electrical energy into heat and light is measured in watts—the more wattage, the more power, or equivalently the more electrical energy is used per unit...
to run reasonably smoothly and operate its ancillaries (water pump
Water Pump
Water Pump is one of the neighbourhoods of Gulberg Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is near main Water Pump that supplies fresh water to the city of Karachi....
, alternator
Alternator
An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field but linear alternators are occasionally used...
, and, if equipped, other accessories such as power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
), but usually not enough to perform useful work, such as moving an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
. For a passenger-car engine, idle speed is customarily between 600 rpm
Revolutions per minute
Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis...
and 1,000 rpm.
If the engine is operating a large number of accessories, particularly air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, the idle speed must be raised to ensure that the engine generates enough power to run smoothly and operate the accessories. Most air conditioning-equipped engines have an automatic adjustment feature in the carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
or fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
system that raises the idle when the air conditioning is running.
Engines modified for power at high engine speeds, such as auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
engines, tend to have very rough idle unless the idle speed is raised significantly.
In addition to this setting the idle speed too slow can result in very low oil pressure when the engine is hot, resulting in faster wear and possible seizure.