Should You Turn Off the Engine at a Red Light?

[OJessica]

If the parking time exceeds 2 minutes, you can turn off the engine; if the parking time is relatively short, there is no need to turn it off. Here are some relevant points: 1. As the heart of the car, frequent turning off and starting of the engine will definitely reduce its lifespan, and frequent ignition starts will also affect the lifespan of the spark plugs. 2. Traffic jams should also be considered based on duration. If it's due to traffic control and the idle time is expected to be long, it is recommended to turn off the engine. For short-term traffic jams (such as waiting at a red light), it is not recommended to turn off the engine. 3. According to data, each engine start consumes fuel equivalent to driving for one minute. 4. During short-term traffic jams, it is recommended for drivers to shift to neutral, engage the handbrake (for manual transmission vehicles, shift to neutral and engage the handbrake), which can free up the feet and reduce fatigue. Some minor rear-end collisions are caused by drivers pressing the brake and clutch for too long, leading to leg numbness and accidents.

[LilyRose]

I've been driving for almost ten years and always focus on saving money, so I've researched stopping the engine at red lights. I believe that if the red light lasts more than 30 seconds, turning off the engine can save a significant amount of fuel because the engine still consumes fuel while idling—about one liter per hour, which translates to saving dozens of dollars per month. Especially in times of rising fuel prices, this small habit can ease the burden on your wallet. Restarting the car has minimal impact; modern ignition systems are very durable. I've tried it many times, and the restart is almost instantaneous. Of course, in city areas with short red lights, I don’t bother—it’s not worth the effort for such brief stops. Always remember safety first: don’t get distracted after turning off the engine and be ready to start at any moment. Maintaining comfort inside the car is also important. Turning off the AC on hot days can make it stuffy, so I only use this trick in mild weather.

[CassandraLynn]

As someone who cares about the environment, driving an electric car has made me more conscious of reducing emissions. Turning off the engine at red lights is definitely eco-friendly, as idling emits more pollutants, especially during traffic jams when multiple vehicles release emissions together, worsening urban air quality. I've read data showing that a car's carbon emissions while idling can be higher than when driving, and turning off the engine once can reduce exhaust emissions. Modern car engines start up quickly, causing no traffic disruption, and restarting takes just a second or two. In the long run, it minimizes minor wear risks, though short-term impacts are negligible. I often drive in the city and manually turn off the engine if the red light lasts more than 20 seconds, a habit I've also encouraged among friends. From a comfort perspective, turning off the engine on hot days means no air conditioning, which can be uncomfortable, so I assess the temperature before acting.

[SophieRose]

As someone who regularly maintains my own car, I have some insights on engine longevity. Turning off the engine at short red lights isn't a big issue, but repeatedly starting it multiple times may increase the load on the starter and battery, especially in older models. Idling wastes fuel but reduces wear; I recommend turning off the engine only if the wait exceeds 15 seconds. Modern cars have optimized systems that allow quick restarts with minimal wear. When driving, I observe the duration of red lights—turning off the engine to save fuel if it's long, or keeping it idling if it's short. Don't forget safety; ensure clear visibility before restarting.