Image by When you need to wait on the long traffic signals, turn off your vehicles and save energy !
When you need to wait on the long traffic signals, turn off your vehicles and save energy !
I agree with Charles C.
The 10 second rule might apply for some vehicles, but not all. Some, for example those with turbo chargers and diesels, will do better if you idle for longer periods.
That you're getting zero mpg is not the issue. Stopping and restarting a car has a few effects:
* It takes quite a bit of fuel to restart some engines. This can be more than many seconds of idling.
* It also takes a hit on your battery. The engine needs to work harder to recharge the battery.
* It emits unburnt fuel which is many, many times worse as a greenhouse contributor than CO2. I don't know what the numbers are for gasoline, but methane (also a hydrocarbon) is approx 27 times as bad a greenhouse gas as CO2.
* It stresses the engine, meaning that the engine performance and lifetime are reduced.
in July 2008
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in August 2008
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