Idling Vehicles: What's the Problem?
When you idle your vehicle, you pollute the air, and waste fuel and money. Vehicle emissions are toxic.
The air pollution that idling vehicles create has been found to:
- aggravate asthma, leading to more frequent and severe asthma attacks
- increase the number of respiratory infections
- aggravate and induce allergies
- increase school absences
- increase emergency room visits and hospital admissions
- cause premature deaths.
What You Should Do
Reduce warm-up idling. Start driving after no more than 30 seconds of idling even in freezing temperatures, assuming your vehicle’s windows are clear. If windows are obstructed, use an ice scraper!
If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic), turn off your engine.
A old myth exists that idling will use less fuel than restarting your car. The fact is that idling your vehicle for longer than 10 seconds uses more fuel than it takes to restart.
Avoid using a remote vehicle starter. It encourages you to start your vehicle before you are ready to leave, which means wasteful idling.
In temperatures below 32°F, use a block heater to warm the engine before you start your vehicle. This will improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions.
Spread the word to family and friends.
