Should You Turn Off the Engine When Waiting at a Red Light?
2 Answers
It is recommended not to turn off the engine when waiting at a red light, as this practice does not save fuel. Since the waiting time is relatively short, the amount of fuel injected during restart is not significantly different from the fuel consumption during a short idle period. Additionally, frequent restarts can wear out the starter motor and shorten the battery's lifespan. Additional Information: 1. Consider the duration before turning off the engine: Before turning off the engine, always consider the duration of the stop. If the parking time exceeds 2 minutes, you can turn off the engine. If the parking time is short, there is no need to do so. The engine, as the heart of the car, will see a reduced lifespan with excessive shutdowns and restarts. Frequent ignition starts can also affect the lifespan of the spark plugs. 2. Consider the duration during traffic jams: The decision to turn off the engine during traffic jams depends on the expected duration. If the idle time is expected to be long (e.g., due to traffic control), it is advisable 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.
I always turn off the engine when waiting at a red light for a long time to save some fuel and reduce emissions. An idling engine keeps burning fuel, which, although not much, adds up to quite a waste, especially in big cities where you might wait at a red light for a minute or two. Some experts say that modern cars may consume an extra dollar's worth of fuel per hour when idling, while restarting the engine only uses a minimal amount of electricity. However, don't turn off the engine too frequently, as it can wear out the battery or starter in older cars, though newer models are generally fine. I pay even more attention to this when driving my hybrid car—turning off the engine makes it quiet and eco-friendly.
