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Avoid idling your car
All Practically Green: 51 or so people have DONE this action so far.
All Practically Green: 4 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.
Why is "Avoid idling your car" green?
Idling is a common—and unfortunate—practice among drivers, although there is 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 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.
How to: Avoid idling your car
Reduce unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions by turning off your car if you’re going to be stopped for more than ten seconds.
During winter, try idling for ten seconds, then start gently driving to your destination.
Consider asking your school or local business district to adopt an idle-free zone.
