Stop unnecessary engine idling

Commentary by Mac Olsen
Fall will soon turn to winter and that’s the time when many drivers idle their engines for extended periods to warm them up. It is often unnecessary and only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. It’s true every automobile is different and they do need warm-up time, especially in a region like north-central Alberta. But there are cases where people do not need to leave their automobiles running for long periods of time, such as when they’re shopping at the grocery store. Leaving the engine running for half an hour just for the convenience of having a warm automobile to get into is totally wrong. Those who go through the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant sometimes have to let their engines idle for a long time whilte waiting to get to the cashier’s window and/or the pick-up window. But is the convenience of not having to get out of the car worth the greenhouse gas emissions generated? Then there are the times when one driver stops to talk to someone at the side of the road or at an intersection. Their conversation may only be a few minutes, or it could on go for a long time. In any case, the engine is unnecessarily idling in this situation. Commercial transports are also a big source of unnecessary idling. They, too, require warm up time, but they don’t need to idle hour after hour. One transport company in Thompson, Man. (where I lived for five and a half years) implemented a program to reduce engine idling for its fleet, which resulted in cash savings for the company. Do the environment a favour and shut the engine down while shopping. Instead of going through the drive-thru, park the automobile and go in to pick up that burger or hot cup of coffee. These small measures can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially. I do my part in the winter by only warming up the engine for five to seven minutes. I also leave my automobile turned off when I go shopping and I don’t use the drive-thru at fast food restaurants. For those who dislike the idea of having to go out to warm up their automobiles in extremely cold weather, many cars and trucks can be fitted with remote starters. In addition, some remote starters can be programmed to start and stop the engine throughout the day if the temperature goes substantially below zero. Environmentalists say that those who drive large trucks and SUVs should give them up and drive smaller automobiles as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But this is not an option for many people in this region, especially those who have to transport horses, cattle or bailed hay. However, reducing unnecessary engine idling from these automobiles will go a long way toward emissions reduction. Gas-electric hybrid automobiles are being touted as a way to help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Their motors shut down when they are stopped. But these automobiles can be expensive to purchase. The cost of fuel should be another incentive to keep the engine idling down. With regular unleaded fuel running around 99 cents a litre in the region, reduced idling can also lead to fewer stops at the gas pump – and saving money, too. So, when going out to start the automobile on cold mornings this winter, remember that reduced engine idling leads not only to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but saves on the cost of fuel, too!

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