A lot of us idle our cars when we first get in. My Dad used to tell me that it was good to let it warm up at least ten seconds before you move. “Wait for that engine rev to die down, Doll” – he’d say. Well – it is no longer necessary with today’s fuel-injected engines that just don’t need that warm-up period any more. Idling for long periods can cause engine wear to boot! By the way, Australians call the trunk of a car – the boot. Smiling.
In fact, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and creates more global warming pollution than restarting the engine.
Diesel engines can use more fuel while idling than moving – up to four times more (many studies have had similar results) and emissions can cause a host of health problems: asthma attacks, contributes to global warming, impaired lung function and heart problems.
Idling is a big problem in large cities that get gridlocked often like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, emitting up to three times the pollution than moving traffic. Buses that idle to catch up to schedule times and truckers who idle while they sleep may need to change their ways soon!
We all know in Wisconsin and any other colder climates that we let the car warm up for a few minutes before driving off. It isn’t because of idling for the engine’s sake either. We usually start up the car and scrape snow and ice off the car, often followed by going back into the house for a cup of coffee or a last minute bathroom visit. My brother often does both. Believe me, there are times when saving money is not that important to me. When I drive while my teeth chatter and my gloved fingers are shaking from the cold sneaking up my hands, it is well worth it to start the car up and let it idle a while. Much better than having an accident because you’re frozen stiff!
But the truth is, for most of the year, just start up the car and drive to give your car a longer, happier life with less troubles. Besides, you also save gas and money by not idling.
Note: Don’t run the air conditioner unless you must. Contrary to common talk, it does use more gas while running it.
