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7 <br /> The Facts about Car Idling <br /> The following information and recommendations are compiled from the U.S. Environmental <br /> Protection Agency(www.epa.gov). <br /> An idling car is one that is not being driven but whose engine is still running. Idling is often <br /> unavoidable in traffic,but voluntary idling occurs when cars are left running while parked, <br /> standing, or waiting in drive-through lines. People often don't realize that idling has several <br /> negative effects on health,the environment, and themselves: <br /> • Air Pollution <br /> Voluntary idling increases the amount of preventable pollution released into our air. Cars <br /> produce several air pollutants that contribute to environmental problems such as urban <br /> smog, air toxics,and climate change,and health problems such as asthma,respiratory and <br /> heart disease. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe <br /> twice as much as adults. <br /> • Wasted Fuel and Money <br /> Idling wastes fuel and money. ALL cars,trucks, and SUVs get 0 mpg while idling, <br /> regardless of their fuel efficiency while driving. Larger vehicles usually waste more fuel <br /> than smaller ones. <br /> • Engine Wear-and-Tear <br /> Idling for long periods, especially in cold weather,can actually cause excessive wear or <br /> even damage the engine. <br /> MYTH: Restarting the engine uses more gas and causes more pollution than idling. <br /> FACT: Modern engines require much less fuel at startup than most people think. Idling <br /> for only 30 seconds uses up more fuel than restarting the engine. If you expect to idle for <br /> more than 30 seconds,turn off the engine and then restart(except in traffic,of course). <br /> You will save fuel and prevent pollution by avoiding long idles. For example, instead of <br /> idling in bank and restaurant drive-through lines,park your car and go inside. <br /> MYTH: Engines need to warm up with a long idle period,especially in cold weather. <br /> FACT: Modern cars need little warm-up time and are most efficient when being driven. <br /> Engines require no more than 30 seconds of warming-up, followed by driving at <br /> moderate speed for the first few minutes. In fact, idling in cold weather causes excessive <br /> wear on the engine. <br />