why do cops let their car idle all day? (air conditioning, truck, engine) - Automotive -Sports cars, sedans, coupes, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, tickets, dealers, repairs, gasoline, drivers... - City-Data Forum

diddiyo · 10-05-2009, 04:50 PM

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

little elmer · 10-05-2009, 04:53 PM

Because the general public is 5X smarter than they are.

jc76 · 10-05-2009, 05:09 PM

Because the gas is paid for with our tax money. If it came out of the cops pocket he'd shut it off fast.

TuborgP · 10-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

Maybe the time of the year and air conditioning/heat. They may need the car running to power their equipment. Especially the computers.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/p...0201/802260311

Drover · 10-05-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

Ever notice how much electronic equipment they have in there? How quickly do you think that stuff would drain the battery if they shut the engine off?

mongoslade223 · 10-05-2009, 05:17 PM

Also remember that they may have to move out quickly.

GTOlover · 10-05-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

when it's cold truckers do it to keep the engine from having start up problems but the rest of the time the engine is power for all the cab's accessories.

Tennesseestorm · 10-05-2009, 06:31 PM

I asked this too, because at a local cruise-in we go to, there are police cars at the first end of the cruise to direct traffic and to keep riff-raff out and I mentioned it to my friends/family that everytime there are police cars setting there running with no one in them for at least 5 hours. I made the comment of what a waste of gas.

Someone said they had to do that, but never said why.

I know it would be faster for them to take off, but how long does it take the start an engine?

Omaha Rocks · 10-05-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

I can't speak on behalf of cops. I'm sure some leave their cars idling for long periods of time, while others don't. And as has already been mentioned, they may need to keep them running to generate the electricity needed for all the electronics.

Diesel trucks are a different story. When idling, a diesel burns virtually no fuel. In addition, if it's cold, truckers won't shut of their rigs because they might not get them started again.

McBain II · 10-05-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc76

Because the gas is paid for with our tax money. If it came out of the cops pocket he'd shut it off fast.

Wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drover

Ever notice how much electronic equipment they have in there? How quickly do you think that stuff would drain the battery if they shut the engine off?

Correct.