Why Fuss About Idling?
According to the US Department of Energy, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more smog and climate changing emissions than does stopping and restarting your car’s engine. The good news is that reducing idling is one of the simplest ways you can help the environment and doing so is better for both your car and your wallet.
Myths
1. I need to idle to warm up my engine. The catalytic converter in today’s modern cars, which reduces emissions, operates much sooner if the car is at “work.”
2. I need to idle to protect my engine. Today’s gasoline and diesel vehicles do not suffer damage by being turned on and off like cars in the past.
What You Can Do to Help
1. Don’t warm up your car for more than 10 seconds.
2. Skip long drive-through lines; park and go inside.
3. Turn off your engine when picking up kids from school.
4. Leave the start-stop technology in the “on” mode.
Idling is Now Illegal
Idling is now illegal in Massachusetts. If caught idling for more than 5 minutes, you could be subject to a fine. The Town of Wellesley has an Anti-Idling violation, giving officers the ability to levy anywhere from a $15 warning up to a $100 citation. So turn off your motor and help protect Mother Earth.
The information in this article comes from the US Department of Energy and Sustainable Wellesley.