Idling: Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Idling is good for your vehicle because it warms up the engine prior to driving.
Fact: Idling can actually be hard on the engine because fuel combustion is incomplete and some fuel residues condense on cylinder walls. Through time, this process wears down the engine.

Myth: Individual unnecessary vehicle idling does not contribute to the problem of climate change.
Fact: Carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas that is contributing to climate change, is a natural by-product of burning gasoline. Each liter of gasoline used produces about 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide. So every time you start the engine, you're contributing to the problem.

Myth: Idling is necessary on cold winter days that do not exceed minus 30°C to ensure that all of the vehicle's components are warm.
Fact: Idling only warms up the engine, not any other part of the car. Many components of the vehicle including the wheel bearings, tires and suspension system will warm up only when the vehicle is moving. No more than 30 seconds of idling is needed to get the oil circulating through the engine. Only approximately 3 minutes is necessary in extremely cold weather. A block heater is recommended to heat the engine prior to driving which decreases the need for start-up idling.

Myth: Idling is only a concern in the winter.
Fact: Idling is a problem all year-round. A recent study revealed that on any given day in August, Canadians idle their vehicles for a combined total of more than 46 million minutes per day. This is equivalent to one vehicle idling consistently for 89 years! If you are idling in hot (or cold) weather, it is best to just turn off your car and find a climate controlled building.

Myth: Frequently restarting a vehicle, rather than letting it idle, is hard on the vehicle's starter and battery.
Fact: Studies have shown that restarting the engine numerous times has little impact on components such as the battery and starter motor. Turning off your car after 30 seconds to 1 minute will repay itself in maintenance costs with the amount of fuel you save.