Locks, railroad crossings, and more: turn off your engine
Polluting emissions from vehicles directly affect air quality and increase the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. As a driver, you can reduce this impact by adopting a few simple habits. In this article, learn why turning off your engine when you’re stopped in certain situations can make a real difference.
A small gesture that truly pays off
Did you know that letting your engine idle for as little as 10 seconds consumes more fuel and produces more GHGs than turning it off and restarting it? Even when you consider the level of wear and tear on various engine parts, particularly those used during start-up, experts agree that you should turn off your engine whenever you expect to be stopped for more than 30 seconds.
If everyone adopted this simple habit every day, the benefits would be considerable, both in terms of saving money and protecting the environment. Studies show that idling your engine for a total of 60 minutes (over the course of a season, for example) can waste up to 1.5 litres of fuel. This is equivalent to releasing 4.2 kilograms of CO2 into the air. On a national scale, that’s huge!
When to turn off your engine
Of course, it’s not safe to turn off your engine when traffic is heavy or you’re in a busy area. However, you can safely turn off your engine when:
- You’re waiting at a railroad crossing
- You’re stopped at a lock
- You’re parked while waiting for someone to meet you
- You’re in a drop-off zone, such as at an airport or train station
Do you usually go through the drive-thru to grab a coffee on your way to work? Instead, park the car and order inside the store. You can save a lot on your annual fuel bill and help the planet.
Adopting eco-driving habits benefits everyone. For more practical tips, visit the M 360 Mechanic blog regularly.