Idling your vehicle when you are parked unnecessarily produces greenhouse gases contributing to global warming and other pollutants harmful to you and your children’s health.
“Researchers estimate that idling from heavy-duty and light duty vehicles combined wastes about 6 billion gallons of fuel annually. About half of that is attributable to personal vehicles, which generate around 30 million tons of CO2 every year just by idling. While the impact of idling may be small on a per-car basis, the impact of the 250 million personal vehicles in the U.S. adds up. For saving fuel and reducing emissions, eliminating the unnecessary idling of personal vehicles would be the same as taking 5 million vehicles off the roads.” US Department of Energy, Idling Reduction for Personal Vehicles (energy.gov)
PA state law prohibits diesel trucks over 10,000 pounds for idling more than 5 minutes in any hour. This doesn’t mean that gasoline powered cars and trucks are not polluting when idling. They are. Let’s make an effort to turn off our vehicles when parked.
Myths about idling your car or truck:
1. Myth: You need to warm up your vehicle before driving, especially in cold weather.
Fact: Cars and trucks need no more than 10 seconds to warm up even in freezing weather. Vehicles warm up faster when driven than by idling. Using remote starting is unhealthy and environmentally unsound.
2. Myth: Turning your vehicle on and off causes unnecessary wear and tear.
Fact: Idling your vehicle causes more wear and tear then turning it on and off.
3. Myth: You waste fuel when driving your car cold.
Fact: You waste more fuel idling than just driving right off.
“Costly myths: An analysis of idling beliefs and behavior in personal motor vehicles”, Amanda R. Carrico, Paul Padgett, Michael P. Vandenbergh, Jonathan Gilligan, Kenneth A. Wallston , Vanderbilt University, Elsevier Energy Policy, 2009
Even for Diesels
GMAC Owner’s Manual 2020 6.6L Duramax Diesel Engine Supplement: “When the engine is cold, let it run for a few (3) minutes before driving. This lets oil pressure build up. The engine will sound louder when it is cold.”
Ford 2020 Super Duty Diesel Owner’s Manual: “After the 30 second warm-up period, the accelerator pedal will be operational again and a message appears informing you the vehicle is ok to drive."
“Cold Weather Operation Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal operating temperature. Long periods of idling, especially in cold weather, can cause a buildup of deposits which can cause engine damage.”
Let’s rethink letting your vehicle run when parked. Do some good for ourselves and our children’s future.
