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Courtesy of Citizens Environment Alliance, Idle-Free Windsor (ON, CA)
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• IDLING EMISSIONS AFFECT OUR RESPIRATORY HEALTH:
While modern light-duty gasoline vehicles are designed with advanced emission control technologies that have reduced harmful exhaust emission chemicals such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and benzene, real life factors can inevitably cause increased emissions at idle: vehicle age, how the vehicle is maintained, wear of emission control components and their resulting diminished function, the warmed up state of a vehicle, and how cold the weather. Medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, many equipped with diesel engines and less restrictive emissions controls, cause significantly higher levels of harmful emissions when idling.
Prolonged exposure of these emissions affects our respiratory systems, including our lungs and heart. Children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma are especially vulnerable.[1]
• IDLING CONTRIBUTES TO CLIMATE CHANGE:
Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, including carbon dioxide (CO2), cause climate change. Overwhelming scientific evidence links climate change to the earth's highest ever average annual temperatures, melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, increasingly severe weather events, and to the threat of many plant and animal species. Here's what NASA tells us about global warming. For Vermont, its ski, maple sugaring and tourist industries are threatened.
- There are more than 550,000 Vermont Car and Truck 2009 registrations. If many Vermont vehicles reduced their idling by five minutes/day, the total CO2 emissions reduction could exceed 50,000 tons/year[2].
- Vermont's transportation greenhouse gas emissions, based on a geographic calculation, are nearly double the U.S. average: 46% to 26%[3]. Reduction of unnecessary idling can have a significant positive impact on this figure.
• IDLING WASTES FUEL:
Whether a light-duty car, SUV or pickup, or commercial truck, needless idling burns our hard earned dollars through the exhaust pipe. An idling vehicle gets 0 miles to the gallon. And remember that fossil fuels are being depleted in the face of ever increasing world demand.
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Download, print and distribute this information card
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LIGHT-DUTY & HEAVY-DUTY IDLING REQUIREMENTS
HOW LONG SHOULD A WARMED UP, PARKED VEHICLE IDLE?
LIGHT-DUTY GASOLINE OR DIESEL (car, SUV, pickup): The overall recommendation is 30 seconds[4]. Actually, any more than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than is required to restart the engine. However, the break-even time to offset any potential incremental maintenance costs to the starter or battery is 30 seconds. So, as a guideline, if you're stopped out of traffic for more than 30 seconds turn off the engine.
HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL (commercial trucks and buses; school buses): The EPA, American Trucking Association, and several diesel engine manufacturers[5][6] recommend 3 to 5 minutes to allow for turbo cool-down after full load operation. Engine manufacturers also recommend to shut down and restart up to several times a day rather than continuous idling to save fuel and engine wear.[7]
HOW LONG SHOULD A VEHICLE WARM UP AT STANDSTILL?
LIGHT-DUTY GASOLINE OR DIESEL: In all but extreme cold, 0 to 30 seconds usually suffices[8] (check your owners manual for any specific recommendations).
• Above freezing temperatures: typically no need to warm-up at standstill; the best way to warm up is to drive the vehicle at a moderate pace.
• Below freezing but above 0 degrees fahrenheit: up to 30 seconds* to allow for complete circulation of engine oil**. Warm-up time is also determined by the effectiveness of defrosting. Again, driving the car (slowly to moderately) is the best way to warm up in this range. Note that wheel bearings, steering, suspension, transmission and tires also need warming up. The only way to do that is to drive the vehicle.
• Below 0 degrees: in this range, idling the engine for a period of 1 to 3 minutes becomes important, allowing thickened engine oil to adequately circulate throughout the engine, and for the likely increased time needed for defrosting/deicing.
HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL: the EPA and several diesel engine manufacturers recommend no more than 3 to 5 minutes.[6]. But there are idling reduction alternatives to consider.
• Use electric engine heaters (such as block heaters) to minimize idling time during warm-up, especially in cold weather.
• Install a small generator or auxiliary power unit specifically designed for a truck that provides heat, air conditioning, and/or electrical power while the vehicle is not in motion. These devices are a better, more efficient alternative to idling as they use substantially less fuel and emit less pollution. Depending on the amount of time spent idling each year, the payback on these devices can be one to two years.
Recommended cold weather warm-up procedure for light-duty gasoline** engines.
Make sure that your vehicle is tuned-up. Except in below 0 conditions, avoid remote vehicle starters which encourage excessive idling. CONSIDER USE OF AN ENGINE BLOCK HEATER which can be timed to turn on one to two hours before starting the engine. They allow less strain on the starter and battery, can lessen stationary warm up time in extreme cold, and allow the vehicle to consume less fuel during warm up driving. Protect yourself adequately from the elements with warm clothing. Be prepared with window scrapers that work. Consider the use of a can of spray de-icer or make your own solution of half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle. When necessary, scrape/de-ice and clear your vehicle off before starting. Then start the engine and immediately blast the defroster. In most cases, you'll be ready to go in 30 seconds.
* Possible exception: if vehicle occupant(s) is very elderly or an infant in below freezing temperatures.
** Light-duty diesel engines similar requirements; check owner's manual
VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUALS
Many vehicle owner's manuals have specific instruction on idling requirements along with recommendations and warnings to avoid excessive idling. View a sampling of them here.
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• IDLING CAN CAUSE NEEDLESS ENGINE WEAR:
LIGHT-DUTY GASOLINE OR DIESEL: excessive idling causes needless engine wear that can lead to increased engine maintenance and shortened engine life. Read the vehicle owner's manual samples above to learn more.
HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL: excessive idling causes increased engine maintenance and shortens engine life[6]. Manufacturers of these engines, including Kenworth Truck Co., Caterpiller, Inc., IC Corporation and Cummins Inc., advise operators to limit idling to a maximum of 3-5 minutes.
• IDLING WASTES ENERGY POSING A RISK TO OUR SECURITY:
The Obama-Biden administration Energy and Environment Agenda calls for an end to America’s addiction on foreign oil. President George W. Bush stated in his 2006 State of the Union address that America is addicted to oil. Both administrations have agreed that our dependence on foreign oil poses a threat to our economic and strategic security. Idling reduction is part of the formula to help make Vermont and America energy independent.
• IDLING CAUSES NOISE POLLUTION:
In our town centers, cities and suburbs, many agree there's already enough noise without having to hear the constant idling of parked vehicles.
• IDLING REDUCTION IS A STATE LAW:
1. Vermont has a statewide idling law for motor vehicles on school property. This includes all school buses, plus a provision in the law for school boards in each district to adopt idling policies for motor vehicles other than school buses (employees, students, parents, delivery, etc.) when present on school premises.
2. Under Vermont's unattended motor vehicles law, it is a violation to idle a vehicle while unattended in public. See Idling Laws of Interest below.
[1] American Lung Association
[2]Translated from Natural Resources Canada CO2 emissions calculation on idling. Reference here.
[3]Governor's Commission on Climate Change. Reference here.
[4] U.S. EPA SmartWay Vehicles: "When you aren't in traffic, turn off the engine rather than idle for more than 30 seconds."
[5] U.S. EPA Clean School Bus USA National Idle-Reduction Campaign: Engine Wear-and-Tear
[6] EPA New England: "What You Should Know About Truck Engine Idling" "Running an engine at low speed (idling) causes twice the wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. According to the American Trucking Association, such wear can increase maintenance costs by almost $2,000 per year and shorten the life of the engine."
[7] Crackdown On Idling Time
[8]U.S. Dept. of Energy: "The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed."
Drive-throughs or "drive-thrus"--except if driving a hybrid vehicle which seldom idles--should be avoided. By far, what is best for both drivers and all people in the vicinity is to park the vehicle, turn it off and go into the place of business. Besides providing some exercise, this will save fuel (thereby lowering the cost of your transaction) and keep emissions out of the atmosphere. If determined to use the drive-through, please note that idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than is required to restart the engine. Turning off and restarting the engine a couple of times when proceeding through the process of waiting, ordering and then picking up can mean the difference between a minute of idling and five minutes. Studies show* that restarting an engine no more than six times a day avoids shortening the life of the starter motor and battery. At the same time, fuel is saved as well as lowered emissions. Again, however, it is best to not use drive-throughs.
*Natural Resources Canada Idle-Free Zone.
NOTE: As personal verification of restarting, Wayne Michaud, Idle-Free VT Director, owned since new a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback, sold with 214,000 miles. Despite more frequent restarting to avoid excessive idling, the vehicle's original starter lasted throughout.
THE MOST LIKELY REASONS FOR IDLING WHEN PARKED
There are three most likely reasons it is customary for motorists to idle their vehicles.
1. LACK OF AWARENESS. Most of us are simply unaware unnecessary, excessive idling is harmful and wasteful. Gradually, the word is getting out there, mostly from within the school environment and the growing number of idle-free campaigns.
2. PERCEIVED AS NECESSARY. Many of us were taught that it was necessary to idle for proper engine warm up and we have passed this on to succeeding generations. Prior to the advent of fuel injection in the 1980s, carburetor equipped vehicles did need more warm up time to prevent the possibility of stalling in traffic. For modern vehicles however, once the oil has circulated throughout the engine (usually 30 seconds or less), it is best to drive the vehicle to complete engine warm up and to allow other mechanical components to warm up as well.
3. OPTIMAL COMFORT. In the spatial environments of our homes and vehicles, we naturally tend to be accustomed to keeping our bodies in a comfort zone. A fully warmed up or cooled down vehicle cabin achieves this goal. But there is a high price to pay for prolonged warm up idling, using remote vehicle starters or sitting in a parked idling car to keep warm or cool. Responsible people will choose to sacrifice a few minutes of optimal comfort to avoid wasting fuel, causing engine wear, harming our air quality and contributing to climate change.
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IS IDLING OUT OF TRAFFIC EVER OK OR EVEN NECESSARY?
Yes. For safety reasons, warm-up idling in certain cold weather conditions needs to be extended if windshield defrosting is not adequate (however, clearing snow/ice off the vehicle exterior should be done before starting the engine in all but below 0 temperatures). If parked during near 0 or below temperatures and shelter elsewhere is not available, extended idling for the occupant is probably necessary. Also, for elderly, infants and pets, adjust for weather extremes accordingly. Extended idling can also be necessary for certain maintenance procedures.
IDLING AT EXTENDED STOP LIGHTS IN TRAFFIC
Idle-Free VT does not advocate shutting off an engine in traffic at extended stop lights. One may use their own judgement in these situations balancing prolonged idling beyond one minute with possible safety issues.
WHAT ABOUT IDLING IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONES?
This campaign encourages shutting off the engine in road construction zones during extended wait times; however, this can be left up to the judgement of the motorist.
According to Lieutenant John Flannigan, Traffic Safety Unit, Vermont State Police:
"1) The act of shutting it off by itself is not illegal, unless it is restricting the movement of traffic or unsafe manner / location."
"2) It is appropriate in traffic that is stopped for a longer period of time w/o movement, such as a road closure, temporary road closure (MV crash, etc). However, it would be necessary to leave a vehicle running even in these circumstances if it was during winter month, rain (to see), etc."
Lieutentant Flannigan states basically that shutting down is ok except in freezing weather. As to rain, wipers can operate on accessory.
• First and foremost, as a general rule, limit warm-up and warmed-up idling to 30 seconds.
• Avoid drive throughs. Park it, shut it off and go into the place of business.
• Avoid using a remote vehicle starter, which encourages unnecessary idling.
• Consider the purchase and use of an engine block heater.
• Right Turn On Red is legal in Vermont (and all 50 states) unless otherwise noted; please avoid sitting and turn when able to.
• Consider the purchase of a gas/electric hybrid vehicle which seldom idles.
• Support Roundabouts. They save gas by preventing idling, shorten trip time and studies show they reduce accidents.
• Spread the word to family and friends.
• Start your own idle-free campaign.
• Get published--use these compelling idling facts to write a letter to the editor or an op-ed.
• Witnessing idling: If you witness extended idling of either company fleet vehicles, or tour buses at a ski resort or one of Vermont's many tourist attractions, consider contacting the entities that own the vehicles or that don't restrict idling in their parking areas. Contact Idle-Free VT if you do so. If you witness an individual who is idling excessively, you may want to politely inform them about the harm of idling. It is highly recommended that you only consider doing this in conjunction with an information handout (see above). Most people will react in a reasonable manner but some may be offended.
• VERMONT: H.97, a 10,000 pound+ commercial vehicle idling bill (mostly diesel) will be a top priority in the 2010 Vermont legislative session. Vermont is the last state in the Northeastern U.S. to have not enacted this type of law. Contact your legislators asking them to support this bill. Also take a moment to sign the petition in support of this bill.
• NATIONALLY: Especially under a new administration that takes climate change and energy conservation seriously, encourage Sen. Bernie Sanders, a U.S. Senate Environment Committee member, to work with other members of this committee (Sen. Barbara Boxer--CA, chair) to advocate for a federal program of idle-free awareness, as Canada has been doing for years. Also ask him to push automobile manufacturers to increase their mileage standards by adopting the Auto Stop-Start system for U.S. vehicles. This system, now utilized on certain European models, allows conventional vehicle engines to automatically shut off and restart seamlessly at stoplights, just as hybrids now do. See details on the Links page.
• Protect yourself from fumes: If you are behind a diesel truck, bus or school bus in traffic, or any vehicle in cold weather emiting puffs of white vapor (indicating not fully warmed up engine) these fumes are entering your car through your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system fresh air inlet, or your side windows if they are open. Close windows completely, and get in the habit of choosing the RECIRC button or selection for recirculation mode. This blocks off the outside air and reduces the odor and exposure to fumes. Remember to return the system to outside air mode when fumes have abated. Also note that windows can tend to fog up when left in RECIRC mode.
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The State of Vermont's school bus idling law, enacted in 2007:
ACT 48. AN ACT RELATING TO THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. (S.13)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 23 V.S.A. § 1282(f) is added to read:
(f) Subject to state board of education rules, which may provide for limited idling, the operator of a school bus shall not idle the engine while waiting for children to board or to exit the vehicle at a school and shall not start the engine until ready to leave the school premises. The board, in consultation with the agency of natural resources, the department of health, and the department of motor vehicles, shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. The rules shall set forth periods or circumstances that reasonably require the idling of the engine, including periods when it is necessary to operate defrosting, heating, or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of the driver or passengers or to operate auxiliary equipment; and periods when the engine is undergoing maintenance or inspection.
Sec. 2. SCHOOL BOARDS; VEHICULAR IDLING
Nothing in this act or in department of education rules shall prevent a school board from adopting idling policies for motor vehicles other than school buses when present on school premises. By January 1, 2008, the department of education shall develop a model policy relating to idling of vehicles other than school buses to be distributed to schools for their use.
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
This act shall take effect on passage. The rules required by this act shall take effect during the 2007–2008 academic year.
Approved: May 25, 2007
Vermont's Unattended Motor Vehicles law is mainly designed to discourage vehicle theft (no insurance coverage for stolen vehicles resulting from running unattended), but can also be applied toward idling enforcement. Here's the statute:
Title 23: Motor Vehicles
Chapter 13: OPERATION OF VEHICLES
23 V.S.A. § 1111. Unattended motor vehicle
§ 1111. Unattended motor vehicle
No person shall permit a motor vehicle to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition and effectively setting the brake, air temperatures permitting, and, when the vehicle is standing upon a grade, turning the front of the front wheels toward the curb or side of the highway. This section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973.)
Burlington Code of Ordinances, Sec. 20-55
(e) No person shall leave idling for more than three (3) minutes any motor vehicle in any area of the city, except in the following instances:
(1) Motors used to run refrigeration units may be left idling to permit uninterrupted refrigeration;
(2) A motor vehicle may be left idling if necessary for the repair of that vehicle;
(3) This provision shall not apply to motor vehicles which must be kept idling in order to install, maintain or repair equipment or infrastructure.
(4) This provision shall not apply in any situation in which the health or safety of a driver or passenger requires the idling of the vehicle.
Massachusetts General Law ch. 90
§ 16A. Unnecessary Operation of Engine of Stopped Motor Vehicle Prohibited; Exceptions; Penalty. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while said vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable period of time in excess of five minutes. This section shall not apply to (a) vehicles being serviced, provided that operation of the engine is essential to the proper repair thereof, or (b) vehicles engaged in the delivery or acceptance of goods, wares, or merchandise for which engine assisted power is necessary and substitute alternate means cannot be made available, or (c) vehicles engaged in an operation for which the engine power is necessary for an associate power need other than movement and substitute alternate power means cannot be made available provided that such operation does not cause or contribute to a condition of air pollution. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense, nor more than five hundred dollars for each succeeding offense.
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Idle-Free VT advocates the following all motor vehicle idling law for Vermont
(similar to the all motor vehicle laws of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Hawaii):
No person shall allow in the State of Vermont any motor vehicle that is designed to operate on public roads to idle in excess of three (3) consecutive minutes in any 60 minute period for gasoline and light-duty diesel vehicles; five (5) consecutive minutes in any 60 minute period for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, with the following exceptions:
(1) The vehicle is forced to remain motionless on a public road because of traffic conditions over which the operator has no control;
(2) The vehicle is being used as an emergency vehicle in an emergency situation;
(3) Required by a federal, state, or local law or official, but only to the extent necessary to comply with such requirement;
(4) The vehicle’s engine is providing auxiliary power for activities other than heating or air conditioning, such as loading, refrigeration (if not equipped with auxiliary thermal power), well drilling, or farming;
(5) Running the vehicle’s engine is necessary for maintenance, servicing, repair, or diagnostic purposes;
(6) Running the vehicle’s engine during adverse weather conditions is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle
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