Should You Turn Off the Engine at a Red Light?
1 Answers
It is not recommended to turn off the engine while waiting at a red light, as this practice does not save fuel. The duration is relatively short, and the fuel injected during restart is roughly equivalent to the fuel consumed during that brief period. Additionally, it can wear out the starter and shorten the battery's lifespan. More detailed information is as follows: 1. Always consider the duration of the stop before turning off the engine. If the stop lasts longer than 2 minutes, you can turn off the engine. For shorter stops, it is completely unnecessary. The engine, being the heart of the car, will see its lifespan reduced by excessive shutting off and restarting. Frequent ignition starts also affect the lifespan of the spark plugs. 2. Traffic jams should be evaluated based on their duration. If the idle time is expected to be prolonged, such as during traffic control, it is advisable to turn off the engine. For short-term traffic jams (e.g., waiting at a red light), it is not recommended. 3. Data shows that each engine start consumes fuel equivalent to one minute of driving. During short traffic jams, it is advisable to shift to neutral and engage the handbrake (for manual transmission vehicles, shift to neutral and engage the handbrake). This helps relieve foot fatigue by freeing both feet. Some minor rear-end collisions occur due to leg numbness caused by prolonged pressing of the brake and clutch.
