If you’re stuck in traffic or waiting in a drive-through line, is it better for the environment to idle your car engine or turn off the gas? According to Slate, unless you’re driving something out of the dark ages, it’s rarely a good idea to leave the car running if you’re going to be stopped. Today’s cars use electronic fuel injectors, which rigorously control the amount of gas burned when you turn on the ignition. The outdated axiom that says turning on your car wastes the same amount of fuel as leaving the it idling for 30 minutes went out with the carburetor.
Check out Slate’s take on the 10 Second Rule here, which says that if you’re going to be stopped for more than 10 secs, kill the engine. Find out why it’s not always legal in some cases, and how the rule stacks up against fuel savings in this age of astronomical gas prices. You can also takepart and learn more about hypermiling and increasing your fuel efficiency here.
Related:
Should I shut off the motor when I’m idling my car?
Join TakePart's community today!
Filed under:
Environment
Related Links:
Top 5 Hypermiling Techniques
High Gas Prices Spark Suburban Flight
EPA Waives Texas Gasoline Standards in Wake of Hurricane Gustav
Gas Prices Hit $4 Per Gallon, Exceed ‘73 Oil Crisis Prices
Free Tacos at Jack in the Box: Why Gas Prices are High?
Tagged as:10 second rule • carburetor • consumer myths • electronic fuel injector • gas prices • high gas prices • how stuff works • idle the engine • idle the engine or turn off the gas • rising gas prices • should you idle the engine • shut off the motor • Slate.com • stuck in traffic • ten second rule • the 10 second rule • turn off the ignition
Add your comment • Trackback from your site • Follow comments via
RSS
19 posts in the last 24 hours
virtual procedure
In 1944, Raoul Palmer placed his patients in the Trendelenburg position after gaseous distention of the abdomen and thus was able to reliably
virtual procedure June 19, 2008 | 7:07 am EST