Yesterday, I blogged about why you shouldn’t sit idle with your engine running for more than 30 seconds. Now I know this is a hard concept for many to grasp – I even have a bit of trouble with it. But the benefits are tremendous.
Here are a few myths and facts that might make you decide to turn your key, and be idle-free.
Myth: You need to warm up your engine before driving.
Experts say that yes, the car needs to be warmed up, but idling is not the way to do it. To warm up the car, let it idle for 30 seconds then drive it, even on cold days, to warm it up.
Myth: It is good for the engine to let the car idle.
Actually, too much idling can damage your cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems.
Myth: Shutting the engine on and off is hard on it.
Frequently shutting down the engine then restarting it actually has little impact on the engine. It is estimated that turning your car on and off frequently costs you about $10 a year in component wear.
Idling Facts:
That catalytic converter works best when it is between 750 and 1,500 degrees. This temperature is best reached by driving the vehicle.
When idling, the engine is not working at its peak temperature, so the fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion. This means the fuel residue contaminates the engine oil and dirties the sparkplugs.
While it is better to drive to warm up the car then idle, you should take it easy. For the first three to five miles, avoid rapid accelerations and going high speeds.
If your car is a diesel, it is better to shut it off on cold days. Idling reduces the temperature while shutting the engine off will keep it warmer.
If you have your air conditioner on while idling, you can release as much as 13% more emissions.