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This is a very popular move with people where I live. They are always in a $50k+ luxury car/suv that gets 14-18 mpg. I assume they think they are saving gas by turning the engine off for 30 seconds at a light. But doesn't starting the engine use more gas than idling for 30 seconds?
Some hybrids do that, automatically shut off the gas engine, but the battery keeps the car operating.
If they are turning off their cars, that seems excessive for the short time at a light. I've done that a couple of times when stuck in traffic jams.
As for saving gas, I don't know if that short time saves gas. I've heard that turning a light off and on uses more electricity than keeping it on, but I read a so-called expert article that explained that's not true. Off is off. It's using no juice. It doesn't use enough much more to equal the saved amount from being totally off. Maybe it's the same with cars.
I would like to know how you would know if someone shut off their engine at a red light? Today's cars are so quiet running, stopping, and starting that you couldn't possibly know if one were shut off and restarted at a stop, unless you were in each of those cars.
Also, I assume you, like every other person, would be driving with your windows up and the A/C or heater running, along with the radio, and yet you are able to make these observations?
The only time I would shut my engine off is if I was waiting for a long train, or when at a long line waiting for fuel at Costco... And if you were parked next to me, you would never know I shut it off...
Your car might stall. However, at red lights I tend to put the car in park to relax my leg a bit.
A poorly maintained vehicle can stall anywhere; red lights or on a highway. If you have a car that is in such bad shape that it is at risk of stalling, it's best to look our for your safety and the safety of others by not driving it until it is fixed.
Theres a few lights in my neighborhood that will hold me up for 3 minutes,for those i turn off the engine,i never gave it a moments thought that some of the adjacent drivers would get all pissed off at me doing this. for normal under a minute lights i'll keep the motor running and the car in neutral .
Seems some in this topic have an issue with those of us who may turn our engines offwhy is that?
Also how do you know that a car in front/ beside or behind has turned his motor off and so what if he has.?
Manufacturers don't care about wear and tear, that's their bread and butter .
As a mechanic and having replaced a lot of starter drive gear ring and pinion ,the wear and tear is significant including the starter winding and brushes, and that through normal use on rental equipment .
What am I saying ,
never mind ,, the repair industry could use a boost in the economy .it's a major project doing R&R on a ring gear, especially on front wheel drive vehicles.
Manufacturers don't care about wear and tear, that's their bread and butter .
As a mechanic and having replaced a lot of starter drive gear ring and pinion ,the wear and tear is significant including the starter winding and brushes, and that through normal use on rental equipment .
What am I saying ,
never mind ,, the repair industry could use a boost in the economy .it's a major project doing R&R on a ring gear, especially on front wheel drive vehicles.
They do care. They want people to buy their cars again and again.
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why is that?
