skip to main content | skip to footer
North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Sustainability - Sustainability - Greener DENR

Sustainability
Web Content Display Web Content Display

DEQ a Greener You Logo

 

Re-think Idling

If you are going to idle your vehicle for more than 10 seconds – turn it off!
You’ll save money and also help the environment. Are you surprised? Please read more. 

What is idling?

An idling vehicle is one whose engine is running while it is parked or not in use. Because today’s car ignition systems are so efficient, restarting an engine uses very little gas. Specifically, 10 seconds or more of idling wastes more fuel than restarting. An exception to the 10 second rule is that engines need 30 seconds to warm up in cold weather. As we move into the warmer spring weather, this will be less of an issue.

How much can actually be saved by reducing or eliminating unnecessary idling?  The average American driver spends more than 16 minutes a day idling their vehicle. By eliminating 16 minutes of voluntary idling per day, you can save in gas and money. See below.

Engine Size Gas Saved CO2 Saved  Money Saved
Four Cylinder 32 gallons 704 tons  $116 (a)
Eight Cylinder 64 gallons 1408 tons  $233 (a)

(a) Gas~$3.63/gallon

It is estimated that 3.8 million gallons of fuel is wasted every day by idling. This is enough to fill five Olympic-sized pools! This is also equal to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide and $13,444,400 every day. By not idling vehicles, the U.S. could reduce oil imports by 200,000 barrels a day.

Some of the most common places people idle their vehicles include: fast food drive-thrus, driveways, banks, car washes, schools, trains, malls and bridges.  So don’t wait any longer, stop idling now! For more information on how to be idle-free, please visit www.iturnitoff.com  

Reference:  http://www.upworthy.com/every-day-people-spend-16-minutes-doing-this-thing-they-think-is-good-for-the-planet-it-aint-2

 
Web Content Display Web Content Display

DEQ Sustainability Vision

DEQ is the primary environment agency and model for sustainable actions of all North Carolina government agencies.

DEQ Sustainability Mission

To inspire a culture of sustainability within DEQ by promoting environmentally responsible actions.

 
25608 FEEDBACK

Your input is valuable to us. Please send us your feedback.

What type of feedback would you like to send?*

Ask a Question Report a Problem Have a Concern Make a Comment

(If you would like us to respond please include your phone or e-mail.)

Your Question has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Problem has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Concern has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Comment has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

*If you are a DENR employee with an I.T. issue, please submit a DOTS ticket.