HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-12 The Facts on Idling THE FACTS ON IDLING
I. SAFETY
• There are times when you must idle your engine for safety,such as in traffic(unless you drive a
hybrid).
• If you must leave a passenger in a car on a very hot day, leave the air-conditioning on.
II. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
• Excessive idling can actually damage engine components,including cylinders,spark plugs,and
exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not
operate at its peak temperature.This leads to the buildup of fuel residues on cylinder walls that
can damage engine components and increase fuel consumption (California Energy Commission).
• DOE, DOT,and EPA discourage unnecessary idling,and DOD attempts to reduce idling to limit
fuel costs and engine wear.
• For all cars,the catalytic converter warms up much faster when the car is being driven than when
it is idling. In other words,idling a car that's been "cold started" means that harmful emissions
are not being removed from the exhaust.
• For diesel vehicles at temperatures near 0°F,the catalyst may never be brought up to light-off
temperature by idling,so use remote-start features sparingly,especially if you drive a diesel
vehicle.
• You don't need to idle to warm up your car. If you turn off your gasoline-powered car for as long
as 15 minutes while you run an errand,the catalyst will be ready to work again as soon as you
restart your car.There are no emissions or fuel use during that period,and no excess emissions
on start-up. If you have been inside so long that the catalyst is cold,there will be start-up
emissions, but emissions and fuel use from idling will have been avoided. If you idle at the drive-
through,you burn fuel,and CO2 and other emissions are produced. If you want to minimize your
carbon footprint,park and go in. If your trip is brief,the catalyst will still be warm enough to
prevent start-up emissions when you restart your car(Argonne National Laboratory).
a. MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
• In light-duty vehicles,excessive idling causes needless engine wear that can lead to
increased engine maintenance and shortened engine life. Read vehicle owner's manual
samples to learn more. In medium-and heavy-duty vehicles,excessive idling causes
increased engine maintenance and shortens engine life. Manufacturers of these engines,
including Kenworth Truck Co.,Caterpillar, Inc., IC Corporation and Cummins Inc.,advise
operators to limit idling to a maximum of 3-5 minutes(Idlefreevt.org).
• Major vehicle manufacturers and suppliers hold the view that idling modern engines is not
only unnecessary but undesirable.Owner's manuals often advise against idling and
encourage"ecodriving" as a way to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions.
• 2011 Chevy Silverado 350OHD Duramax Diesel—"Notice: Extended idle should be
avoided because the DPF system is not capable of self cleaning at idle. During
extended idle operation,monitor the instrument panel telltale lights and Driver
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Information Center for messages and take appropriate indicated action. Continued
idling with the warning light/message on could cause irreversible damage to the
DPF requiring repair and possible replacement that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty"
• 2011 Chevy Tahoe/Suburban&all 2011 Chevys–"Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time."
• 2011 FORD F250,350,450,550,&other Fords–"WARNING: Extended idling at
high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust
system,creating the risk of fire or other damage" and"Idling for long periods of
time(greater than one minute) may waste fuel.
• 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA&other Hyundais–"Extended periods of idling require
owners to follow the Sever Usage Conditions Maintenance schedule."
• 2011 Volvo C70 --"Never leave the engine running while the vehicle is
unattended"
• 2010 HONDA CR-V&other HONDAS–"Avoid excessive idling–Idling results in 0
miles per gallon"
• 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA–"Don't let the engine idle longer than necessary. If you
are waiting(and not in traffic),turn off your engine and restart only when you are
ready to go"and "Remember,your vehicle does not require extended warm-up.
After the engine as has started,allow the engine to run for 10 to 20 seconds prior to
placing the vehicle in gear. In very cold weather,however,give your engine a
slightly longer warm-up period."
• 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER&other NISSANS–"Avoid unnecessary engine idling."
• 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK–"Avoid unnecessary engine idling" and"Avoid remaining
in a parked vehicle for a lengthy time while the engine is running."
• 2009 DODGE RAM DIESEL—"Avoid prolonged idling,long periods of idling may be
harmful to your engine because combustion chamber temperatures can drop so
low that the fuel may not burn completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon
and varnish to form on piston rings,engine valves,and injector nozzles.Also,the
unburned fuel can enter the crankcase,diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to
the engine."
• 2009 HONDA RIDGELINE&other HONDAS—"Avoid excessive idling–Idling results
in 0 miles per gallon".
• JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE-"After the engine starts,allow it to idle for approximately
30 seconds before driving.This allows oils to circulate and lubricate the
turbocharger.Avoid prolonged idling in ambient temperatures below 0°F(-18°C).
Long periods of idling may be harmful to your engine."
III. MONEY
Most voluntary idling is a waste of gas and therefore money.An idling vehicle gets zero miles per gallon.
Whether a light-duty car,SUV or pickup,or commercial truck, needless idling burns our hard earned
dollars through the tailpipe(Idlefreevt.org).
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a. GAS USE WHILE IDLING
• For every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to
go about one mile. (10 minutes of idling=5 miles of driving,20 minutes of idling= 10
miles of driving,30 minutes= 15 miles of driving)
• One hour of idling burns a half to a full gallon of fuel.
• The Monetary Cost of Idling Based on $3.50/gallon:
• Idling for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as traveling five miles. Reduce idling 10
min/day for a year and you save approximately$183 to$213/year.
• Based on: 10 min/day x 365 days=3650 min./yr,or 61 hour/yr.At 1 gal/hr
[based on 30 miles/gallon],that means you waste 61 gal/yr.At$3/gal,that
equals$183.At$3.50/gal,that equals$213.50. At$4.00/gal,that equals
$244.00.
• When you idle with the air conditioner on,you waste a larger amount of gas.
• When you idle an 8 cylinder engine versus a 4 or 6 cylinder engine,you also waste a
larger amount of gas.
• Research indicates that the average person idles their car five to 10 minutes a day
(http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html).
• If each car in the United States idles just 6 minutes per day,about 3 billion gallons of
fuel are wasted annually,costing drivers$10 billion.
• The cost of idling your vehicle for 10 minutes every morning can add up.You use about
0.026 gallons of gasoline for every 10 minutes,which costs us about 5 cents.This adds
up to about 9.5 ounces of Carbon Dioxide for those 10 minutes. It may not sound like
much,but it all adds up. Many people idle in the morning,at the ATM,at the drive-
through for lunch,then waiting to pick the kids up from school (Hamilton County,OH
Environmental Services).
b. STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
• In order to balance the cost of starter maintenance with the benefits of idling reduction,
the study suggested turning the vehicle off after 30-45 seconds of idling(Review of the
Incidence, Energy Use and Costs of Passenger Vehicle Idling).
• The typical amount of vehicle starts per day is estimated at between 5-10. Increasing
the number of vehicle starts by 6-10 a day probably would not increase operating costs
(http://www.idlefree.utah.gov/idling facts.htm)
c. COST/BENEFIT IDLING TIME
• Idling for 10 seconds uses the same amount of gas as restarting your car. It is
recommended that you stop and restart your vehicle after 30-45 seconds of idling to
balance starter maintenance with gas use
(http://www.idlefree.utah.gov/idling facts.htm).
-OR-
o Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. If
you are stopped for more than 10 seconds-except in traffic-turn off your engine.
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d. COST AT THE DRIVE THROUGH
• At a rate of five minutes of idling per drive through experience,five drive-through
experiences per month is 100 minutes/month. 100 minutes of idling=50 miles of
driving/month.
• Students at the University of Alberta monitored a drive-thru in Edmonton last year for
54 hours,during which time they found that 3,756 cars idled in line for at least five
minutes each.At this rate,if you pick up your coffee at a drive-thru five mornings a
week,you're spending almost two hours idling a month
(http://www.idlefree.utah.gov/idling facts.htm).
e. RESOURCE CONSERVATION
• Idling reduction is part of the solution to help make us energy independent.
• Most gasoline is derived from crude oil,a non-renewable resource.Crude oil reserves
around the world are dwindling as the demand for oil continues to rise,inevitably
resulting in higher oil prices.Why waste this valuable resource?Our dependence on
foreign oil also poses a threat to our economic and strategic security. Peak oil must be
taken seriously(http://www.idlefreevt.org/idling-facts.htm l).
f. COMMERCIAL TRUCKS AND IDLING
o According to estimates by Argonne National Laboratory, in any given year, it's not
uncommon for long-haul truckers to travel 150,000 miles and idle more than 1,800
hours.With today's high fuel prices,the average Class 7 and 8 truck wastes upwards of
$6,000 in fuel and associated costs idling each year.
IV. EMISSIONS
a. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
• Cars release air pollutants such as sulfur oxides(SOx), nitrogen oxides(NOx),volatile
organic compounds(VOCs), particulate matter(PM),carbon monoxide(CO) and toxics
such as mercury. Besides direct effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health,some
of these chemicals also combine in the atmosphere to produce acid rain and ground-
level ozone or smog(South Carolina Department of Health& Environmental Control).
• Emissions from cars and buses in the drop-off and pick-up lines at schools can diminish
the quality of air on school campuses(UPS).
• An EPA study revealed that one hour of idling can burn a whole gallon of fuel and
release almost 20 pounds of carbon into the atmosphere(UPS& Hamilton County,OH
Environmental Services).
• Two factors contribute to the high output of carbon dioxide(CO2) per gallon of fuel
burned. First,fuel burns in the presence of oxygen that it gets from air. Since air is only
one-fifth oxygen,large quantities of air are needed to burn gasoline. Second,gasoline is
rich in carbon,which is converted to CO2 when burned in the presence of oxygen.
Because large quantities of air are required to burn gasoline, large amounts of CO2 are
produced. If you're a typical motorist who drives 13,000 miles each year,you're
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emitting about four and a half tonnes of CO2 per year—that's three times the weight of
your car! (Hamilton County,OH Environmental Services).
o Automakers have succeeded in cleaning up most of the harmful substances emitted by
vehicles.Compared with unregulated vehicles 30 years ago,today's new cars generate
98 percent fewer hydrocarbons,96 percent less carbon monoxide and 90 percent fewer
nitrous oxides. But one element in tailpipe emissions can't be "cleaned up"—carbon
dioxide(CO2).This is the principle greenhouse gas linked to climate change.The bottom
line:the more fuel you use,the more CO2 you produce.And one of the best ways to cut
fuel consumption is to avoid idling(Hamilton County,OH Environmental Services).
o There are more than 553,000 Vermont vehicle registrations(as of end of 2011). If many
of these Vermont vehicles reduced their idling by five minutes/day,the total CO2
emissions reduction could exceed 50,000 tons/year(Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural
Resources Canada).
0 26%of Bozeman's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation (Bozeman
Community Climate Action Plan). Reduction of unnecessary idling would help us reduce
our emissions.
o Ground-level ozone from vehicles inhibits plant growth and can cause widespread
damage to crops and forests(The American Lung Association).
o Air pollution from motor vehicles contributes to the formation of acid rain and global
climate change(The American Lung Association).
b. AIR QUALITY & PUBLIC HEALTH
o Pollution from motor vehicles contributes to formation of ground-level ozone and
breathing ozone may lead to serious harm to health, including premature death,
shortness of breath, inflammation of the lining of the lungs,and increased risk of
asthma attacks (The American Lung Association).
o Children, people with lung disease and the elderly are especially vulnerable to ground
level ozone(The American Lung Association).
o While dropping off or picking students up from school and waiting, idling buses and
vehicles emit fine particulate matter and other air pollutants,which can impact air
quality and public health (MT DEQ).
o Children's lungs continue to develop as they grow,and they are most susceptible to
harmful toxins released from vehicles during their school years(UPS).
o Children breathe,on average,50 percent more air per pound to body weight than adults
(UPS).
o Children are closer to the ground and,therefore,closer to tailpipes(UPS).
o The World Health Organization found that particle pollution and ground-level ozone
aggravated asthma in children and contributed to an increased risk of respiratory tract
infection (UPS).
o Diesel exhaust aggravates asthma,emphysema and bronchitis,according to the U.S.
EPA,and exacerbates allergies(MT DEQ).
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• Based on human exposure studies,as well as lab data, EPA has concluded that diesel is a
probable carcinogen (MT DEQ).
• Bus idling and bus queuing can further increase the concentration of particulates both
inside school buses and inside nearby buildings(MT DEQ).
• Although breathing diesel exhaust may not measurably impair lung function in adults,
recent studies demonstrate that particulate pollution can impair the development of
lungs in children (MT DEQ).
• Studies have shown a wide range of health effects from vehicle pollutants.The most
commonly studied illnesses have been asthma and lung disease (especially in children),
and heart disease.
o Traffic emissions,and especially diesel soot,are widely implicated in triggering
asthma attacks and impairing lung function.Some studies have found
associations between traffic-related exposures and stroke;cancers,including
childhood leukemia; lower IQ levels in children; and adverse reproductive
outcomes,such as stunted fetal development,low birth weight and premature
birth.
• Outlined below are just a few recent findings from health researchers:
• Childhood respiratory consequences: Children are especially vulnerable to the
effects of traffic-related air pollution;studies show increased prevalence of
asthma, respiratory symptoms,and stunted lung development.
• Cancer risks: Higher exposure to traffic emissions was associated with
increased risk of breast cancer among women in Erie and Niagara counties of
New York State.
• A study in Stockholm found a 40%increase in lung cancer risk for the group
with the highest average traffic-related exposure to NO2(nitrogen dioxide,a
prevalent vehicle pollutant).
• A Danish study reported rates of Hodgkin's disease increasing by 51%in
children whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of NO2 during
pregnancy.
• Heart disease:A Los Angeles study found that using exposures of localized
pollution levels, rather than ambient air pollution levels,can triple risk
estimates of death from heart attacks.
• Another study from Worcester, Massachusetts,found a 5%increased risk of
acute heart attack for each kilometer closer a subject lived to a major roadway.
Asthma and lung cancer from diesel: Multiple studies have found serious health
effects from exposure to heavy-duty diesel trucks, including increased mortality
rates. Diesel emissions on busy roads have been associated with triggering
asthma attacks and increased risk of lung cancer.
• Lower IQ levels:A recent study of Boston children 24 showed that higher levels
of traffic pollution predicted decreased cognitive function on verbal and non-
verbal intelligence tests even after correcting for demographic factors, birth
weight,blood lead level and tobacco smoke exposure.
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• Health risk from ozone(smog) Idling vehicles put out a mix of emissions
including nitrogen oxides(NOx)and volatile organic compounds(VOCs).When
NOx and VOCs react with sunlight,they form ozone(03).Ozone can build up
throughout the day,particularly during the long,sunny days of summer.Ozone
contributes to smoggy days and is a very damaging lung irritant.Asthmatics are
particularly vulnerable. Physical activity increases breathing rates and exposes
people to higher levels of air pollutants, including ozone, making it riskier to
exercise outdoors on high ozone days.While auto engines have become
significantly cleaner throughout the years,they still emit significant amounts of
NOx and VOCs. Personal autos contribute substantially to the ozone problem in
our area. Health risk to drivers idling not only puts other New Yorkers at risk; it
can also affect the health of the driver.
• A 2006 study of extended truck idling showed that all trucks cabins had some
level of self-contamination from engine emissions during idling.25 Truck
pollution concentrations were often significantly higher inside the cab than
outside with particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide concentrations sometimes
exceeding U.S. EPA ambient air quality standards.
• Vehicle self-pollution has also been well-documented in school buses, posing a
health risk to both children and drivers.
• Other studies have confirmed that people with increased occupational
exposure to diesel pollution,such as truck drivers, have elevated risks for
health problems such as lung cancer. Environmental Defense Fund,
http://www.edf.org/transportation/reports/idling and
http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/9236 Idling Nowhere 2009.pdf
V. EXISTING LAWS
• Bozeman School District no-idling policy for school buses
• City of Bozeman employee no-idling policy
• Montana's unattended motor vehicle law(61-8-357) prohibits allowing a vehicle to stand
unattended without first stopping the engine
• According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI),some type of idling
restriction had been enacted in all or parts of 28 states as of September 2010
VI. BUSINESS RESPONSE TO IDLING
• UPS drivers adhere to a no-idling policy to help reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
With more than 100,000 vehicles delivering over 15 million packages and documents worldwide
each day, UPS knows first-hand the importance of no-idling measures.
• UPS has cut the amount of time delivery vehicles idle by 24 minutes per driver per day—a fuel
savings of$188 per driver in one year.
• UPS delivery routes are designed to minimize left turns,which require vehicles to wait at an
intersection for traffic to clear before making the turn. In fact,since implementing route-
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planning software in 2004 to minimize left turns, UPS has lowered CO2 emissions by 100,000
metric tons.This is equivalent to taking 5,300 passenger cars off the road for an entire year.
• The UPS Foundation has contributed$350,000 towards national programs to reduce harmful
emissions by minimizing vehicle idling at school pick-up and drip-off lines.The"No-Idling
Campaign"aims to reduce vehicle emissions to promote healthy lung development in school
students, protect the environment,and save fuel.
VII. IDLE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
All of the truck idling-reduction technologies considered below reduce emissions of CO2, NOx,and PM10
by a factor of three or more compared to idling.All pay back the truck owner's investment in two years or
less at the current diesel fuel price of over$4.00 per gallon.Cab comfort(heating and cooling)is required
during extended rest periods because the operator generally sleeps in the truck. In the past,idling the
main engine was the standard method of providing these services. Because of the adverse air-quality and
public-health impacts associated with diesel exhaust from idling trucks,as well as rapidly varying fuel
costs numerous I technologies are being implemented or demonstrated. Devices are available for
stand-alone installation aboard the truck or use at wayside installations.Onboard devices can be used
wherever and whenever the truck is stopped, but they add weight to the truck.
• Diesel-fired heaters(DFHs)supply warm air to the cab/sleeper.An engine block heater can also
be included. Fuel use and emissions by diesel heaters are very low, because they supply heat
directly from a small combustion flame to a heat exchanger.Standard diesel fuel from the truck's
fuel tank is used.Cab heaters can be coupled with air-conditioners if the trucker's service area
includes both cold winters and hot summers.
• Thermal storage and battery-electric air-conditioners(storage cooling,or SC)are available. In
either case,the energy to recharge the storage device is supplied by the truck's engine during
operation.The engine uses a small quantity of onboard diesel fuel for this,and the emissions
from burning this fuel are on the highway, not at the truck stop or depot.
• Auxiliary power units(APUs)consist of a small diesel-fueled internal combustion engine that
powers a generator to provide electricity and space conditioning. Fuel cell units are also being
developed.Emissions are compliant with small engine standards, but California requires
additional controls,such as a diesel particulate filter(DPF)for APUs on trucks built in 2007 or
later.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)maintains a list of equipment
manufacturers at http://www.epa.gov/SmartwayLogistics/
transport/what-smartway/verified-technologies.htm.
• Electrified truck parking spaces(EPS) (also known as truck stop electrification or TSE) provide
heating,cooling,and other services to parked vehicles.These fixed wayside systems add little or
no weight to the truck and cause no local emissions, because no diesel fuel is consumed.There
are,of course, upstream emissions from generating the electricity and producing and
transporting the power plant fuel. "Single"system EPS supplies services from equipment on the
ground through a duct inserted into the cab window. "Dual"-system EPS allows the trucker to
plug electrical equipment on the truck into a pedestal connected to the electric power grid.
Figure 2 shows the current locations on the West Coast.
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