Idling is a common (and unfortunate) practice among drivers. In fact, there's little evidence that it has any benefit.
Some people claim that idling in the winter is good for warming up your vehicle, but gently driving your vehicle will warm up it up much faster than letting it idle. Others claim that it takes more fuel to start your vehicle than to let it idle for a minute.
This is a myth. According to the Department of Energy, the fuel used to start your vehicle is equivalent to the amount of fuel your vehicle uses when it idles for a few seconds.
When your vehicle idles, it gets zero miles per gallon. Idling also pollutes. There are schools that have adopted idle-free zones for dropping-off or picking-up kids so they won’t be inhaling that much exhaust—both inside and outside idling vehicles.
There are lots of reasons why it is important to reduce idling. You can:
- Help improve the air quality in your community.
- Save money by not wasting fuel.
- Reduce wear-and-tear on your engine.
- Protect your own health and the health of countless others.