If you own a fuel-injected vehicle, chances are it has an idle air control valve (IAC valve). This device is responsible for controlling the engine’s idling speed by regulating the amount of air that bypasses the throttle body when the accelerator pedal is not pressed. The IAC valve works in conjunction with the engine control unit (ECU) to ensure that the engine receives the optimal air-fuel mixture for smooth and efficient combustion.
But what happens if the IAC valve goes bad or malfunctions? How will it affect your engine performance and drivability? And more importantly, is it safe to drive with a bad idle air control valve?