Best Way to Warm Up This Winter: From
Your car has been sitting outside all night in the snow and freezing temperatures. What's the best way to warm it up? Some people like to start it and let it sit idle for 10 to 15 minutes before they drive.
We asked Jeffery Smith who is the Service Director at Shearer Chevrolet in South Burlington. He says letting your car idle is a waste of time. "Best thing to do is get in it and drive it. In a couple of miles you're going to be close to operating temperature," said Smith.
That's right. The best way to warm up your car's engine is to drive, not let it sit idle. Wasting time isn't the only concern. Experts say just 10 minutes of idling can use the same amount of gas as it takes to drive five miles. Idling is not only bad for the environment...it can also be bad for your car's engine.
"You could have unburned fuel that goes down into the crank case which gets diluted with the oil," said Smith.
Idle-Free VT caveat:
Make sure defrosting is adequate before driving (however, clear and scrape off any snow and ice before starting engine).
ATTENTION:
TOWN ENERGY COMMITTEES OR COMMUNITY GROUPS
Vermont Idle Free Fleets
Available to Communities
The American Lung Association invites town energy committees and other community groups working on local environmental and public health policy to apply for Vermont Idle-Free Fleets. This FREE turnkey program helps reduce toxic emissions from unnecessary vehicle idling. Reduce GHG emissions, conserve energy, PLUS, improve community health.
VIFF offers an initial presentation in your town, comprehensive toolkit and training manual, no idling signage, recognition, and ongoing technical support.
For program details, contact, and application, visit the
LOCAL EFFORTS page.
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What is the big deal about parked vehicles that idle?
What is the problem with someone parked in their car, idling while chatting on a cell phone? Or a diesel delivery truck idling for 10-15-20 minutes? Eventually these vehicles go on their way and everything seems as it was before they parked and idled. But it isn’t. Although you don’t see it, harm has been done, some of it permanent. People that were in the vicinity, including the drivers, have been harmed by breathing the toxic exhaust emissions. There has been harm done to the engines, harm done to wallets or company profits, harm done to the environment, even harm done to America’s security. Drivers need to be aware of this harmful and wasteful, yet unnecessary, practice that occurs daily throughout Vermont.
Idle-Free VT Inc. is a Vermont incorporated non-profit grassroots campaign formed to address the issue of unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when parked) in Vermont. Its main goal is to raise awareness of idling. It also advocates enactment of Vermont idling legislation. Idle-Free VT seeks to achieve its goals by educating individuals, businesses, and municipalities through media exposure, forming coalitions, petitioning, working with legislators, and encouraging local activism and advocacy (town ordinances or resolutions and school policies).
Unnecessary vehicle idling is no fringe concern. Collectively, Vermonters can make a real difference in the quality of life of our state by avoiding needless idling. Here's how we benefit:
• SAVE MONEY. 1. Idling gets zero miles per gallonmm2. Idling causes needless engine wear
• IMPROVE AIR QUALITY / IMPROVE OUR HEALTH. Idling exhaust emits harmful chemicals into the air we breathe
• SLOW THE ADVANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a leading contributor to climate change
• CONSERVE ENERGY. Our dependence on oil, a finite resource, poses a threat to our economic and strategic security
• OBEY THE LAW. Vermont has laws that prohibit or restrict idling
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS ON THE CONCERNS OF IDLING--AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT —
VISIT THE IDLING FACTS PAGE
WHAT DOES UNNECESSARY VEHICLE IDLING COST?
Whether you drive a light-duty vehicle such as a car, SUV or pick up, or you are a medium- or heavy-duty fleet operator, extended idling costs you or your company money that does not need to be spent.
Read these charts to learn how much it costs to idle:
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COST OF LIGHT-DUTY VEHICLE IDLING
Click on this chart
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COST OF MEDIUM- & HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE IDLING
Click on this chart
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INTERACTIVE IDLING MAP - BURLINGTON, VT - REPORT IDLING VIOLATIONS HERE!
Burlington has an ordinance that restricts the idling of motor vehicles to three minutes (with exemptions). If you see a parked car, truck or bus idling excessively anywhere in Burlington and in violation of this ordinance, report it right here.
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