Shut Your Engine Off Instead of Idling to Save Gasoline

We have all experienced the scourge of sitting in our cars as bumper-to-bumper traffic moves at a snail’s pace along the highway. The dwindling weeks of the summer season include weekend and Labor Day trips to beaches and resorts that take twice as long as necessary due to heavy traffic. Every driver will find a point in these weekend trips where the car will be completely stopped due to construction, disabled vehicles and accidents. It is important to note the importance of putting cars in park and shutting off engines when idling lasts more than a few seconds.



The Department of Energy’s fuel economy website notes that an idling car gets zero miles to the gallon. This clever phrase exposes an oft-overlooked aspect of fuel-efficient driving that anyone in a sizable community can address immediately. It is possible to save gas, relieve stress and ease pressure off brake pads by shutting off the engine when your car has been at a dead stop for longer than 30 seconds.

The 30-second mark has been challenged by Edmunds.com testers interested in the amount of gasoline wasted during idling. The testers used two cars to simulate basic idling as well as the fuel savings accumulated by shutting off engines during traffic delays. The first test involved both cars traveling a 10-mile circuit, stopping once each mile for two minutes and shutting down their engines. The second test required both drivers to travel the same distance and remain idling during the two-minute interval. Edmunds.com was vague in noting the economic benefits of shutting down engines instead of idling but recommend turning off vehicles when idling for longer than one minute.

It is important to be mindful of outside factors before leaving behind the idling tradition for good. Every driver needs to note the flow of traffic along highways as well as the potential for lane shifts before hunkering down in traffic jams. Older cars and trucks may need to idle longer than one minute in the winter to ensure that the engine, heater and brake system are ready for highway travel. Drivers also need to think about weather conditions including ice, rain and snow that make engine shutdown unsafe in the midst of traffic.

The average driver can realize several benefits when they stop idling in traffic. The absence of pressure on brake and gas pedals due to knee jerk acceleration extends the life of brake pads, transmissions and tires. Drivers can prevent back and neck pain from jerky movements in traffic by waiting until traffic clears up before starting engines. The greatest benefit for drivers who are unaccustomed to shutting off their engines instead of idling is greater awareness of driving habits. The time spent waiting for traffic to clear up can give the average driver an appreciation for responsible and fuel-efficient driving.

News Alert: We have just launched our two eBooks, make sure you checkout the special promotion as it will be ending soon!