Idle Free: You and Me Education About Unnecessary Idling of Your Car

Overview This presentation will: Answer questions about idling Address common misconceptions about car idling Tell you what you can do about idling But first a quiz…

Isn’t it better to leave the car running than turning it off and on? Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine. Frequent restarting has little impact on battery and starter. Catalytic converters stay warm for 25+ minutes - frequent stops and starts not as harmful as cold starts. No!

Is it important to idle for a few minutes to warm up the engine‚ especially in winter? Idling is wasteful and damages the environment. Tests show no more than 30 seconds needed to circulate engine oil. Warming up the vehicle means more than warming the engine. Catalytic converter doesn’t function at peak until reaches between 400°C and 800°C. Best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it. No!

Isn’t idling good for a vehicle? Idling can damage engines. Engine isn’t at peak operating temperature. Fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion. Idling leaves fuel residues that can contaminate engine oil and damage engine parts. Excessive idling can allow water to condense in vehicle’s exhaust. No!

Don’t catalytic converters make exhaust from cars harmless? CO 2 and N 2 O contribute to global climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a product of combustion. Catalytic converters rearrange the nitrogen-oxygen compounds to form nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a potent greenhouse gas. Catalytic Converters are designed to reduce regulated pollutants. Carbon monoxide (CO) Hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Catalytic converters only work at high temperatures. When cars are started cold, it minimally reduces pollution. No!

When do people idle? School drop-off and pick-up Waiting for someone Winter to warm up vehicle or stay warm Summer to stay cool Drive-thru windows Gas stations Using automatic vehicle starters Force of habit

Why stop idling? Health benefits Breathing polluted air causes asthma, lung problems and allergies. Small children walk right by the car exhaust pipes. Kids breathe at a faster rate than adults, so they breathe more polluted air. Reduce CO 2 that leads to climate change Save fuel – 1/10 gallon per 20 minutes Save money – 90¢ per $3.00/gallon Reduce air pollution

What can I do? If you’re going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds‚ turn off your car Minimize warm-up idling to 30 seconds Use remote car starters wisely to keep to 30 seconds Educate others about idling

Where can I get more information? Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency, Idle Free Zone