What’s up with ‘Car Rotting’? Why Students Prefer an Idling Car Over Inter-acting with Their Peers

Person using their phone inside a car. Courtesy of Pavol Duracka.

A trend has been on the rise, gaining popularity not only on social media platforms but also on the school grounds at Gallatin High School. ‘Car rotting’ can be described as the experience of sitting in an idling car for long periods of time, after arriving at a destination or before leaving it. The participation in this activity can be seen at Gallatin in the morning before school starts, the minutes leading up to the bell before the end of lunch, and sometimes, although rarely, after the final bell for the school day.

The question is, why do students partake in this activity? Eva Magaro de Cuhelo, a senior at Gallatin, shares her thoughts, saying, “It’s like a safe bubble.” She mentions how school can be a stressful environment, and how students are usually by themselves on their phones or already grouped with friends. Even if she goes into the building, no one is really interacting, so it can be easier to wait in the car for school to start. Magaro de Cuelho goes on to say, “I’ll just turn my car off, but keep my music on for some stress relief and a safe space.”

Another student, Isabella Mendoza, describes herself as “a very introverted person” and says “If my friends aren’t in school, or I don’t see them walking in, I don’t wanna go in and have to just stand there awkwardly.” She mentions using social media to pass the time until school starts.

While car rotting seems harmless from the outside, there are some large impacts. Especially for those who choose to keep their cars on and idling during the activity, it exacerbates environmental problems. According to a study conducted by S.M. Rahman, affiliated with the Queensland University of Technology, “Idling increases fuel consumption, and increases exhaust emissions, both of which have a disastrous impact on the economy, on health, and on the environment.”

Furthermore, when an engine is idling, it isn’t working at ideal operating temperature and the combustion of fuel is incomplete. This leaves fuel residue in the exhaust which increases emission levels of harmful chemicals, gases, and particle pollution. These emissions can contribute to the ozone layer, regional haze, and overall climate change according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Economically, idling cars can significantly increase fuel costs. The amount of fuel consumed by just 10 minutes of idling is the same amount consumed during 5 miles of driving. These numbers add up, with 10 minutes of idling a day consuming 27 gallons of fuel per year. An increase in fuel consumption also means more money spent to purchase gas, an important expense for students and families.

Along with impacts economically and environmentally, there also may be social factors to consider with this trend. With the majority of interviewed students saying they use social media while car rotting, the activity may be adding to students’ stress. According to an article by the National Library of Medicine, a major trigger of stress caused by social media is “social comparison: users constantly see others’ curated lives and wonder why they don’t measure up.” If you are spending time before your school day watching an influencer’s perfectly curated travel vlog or looking at edited vacation photos, it could cause negative emotions, adding to social comparison.

Most people know that social media consumption increases stress, but that stress can also lead to other negative health effects. The same NLM study goes on to say that “constant activation of stress hormones harms sleep, raises blood pressure, and contributes to chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease,” which is a real concern.

So, does this small act of isolation correlate to a psychological defense mechanism related to stress and anxiety, and is this something that schools need to be made more aware of? Personally, I don’t see it as exceptionally harmful as long as cars are off. Everyone needs a break from people sometimes and to gather themselves before a stressful day. At the same time, I think that it's important to slow down and be more intentional about time usage. Instead of car rotting and scrolling TikTok before school, a better use of that time could be to reduce stress intentionally by taking a few deep breaths or even meditating for 5 minutes before the day starts. The time could also be used to reduce school-related anxiety by looking over notes before the school day actually starts.

While car rotting to some can be a good stress reliever or a “safe bubble,” it’s important to consider the environmental and psychological impacts. Keeping your car off and possibly taking some time to ground yourself before school can be good ways to make car rotting a healthier habit.