Is idling bad for hybrid cars
Should you Idle a Diesel or Hybrid Car?
Idle a Diesel Car? New Technology Not Being Used in the US Does it Matter?
I previously wrote about whether you should idle petrol or gas-fuelled vehicles.
Now lets look at diesel and hybrid cars.
Should You Idle a Diesel Vehicle?
Idling is also bad for modern diesel-powered vehicles. On start-up, dont idle for more than 30 seconds, or 1 minute if its really cold.
(Older diesels needed time to get the oil around the engine to reduce friction this is now done automatically and much more quickly your manufacturers handbook will provide further details).
If you need to stop, and youre going to be still for more than around 3 minutes, switch it off instead of leaving it to idle youll save fuel, money and pollution.
In cold weather, actually switching off a diesel engine keeps the engine warm longer. If you want to keep the air conditioner or heater going inside the vehicle, it wont maintain the temperature you want while idling.
If youve been driving really hard on a long journey, you may need to let the engine idle for a minute to cool down, but under normal usage you can just switch off. (If you see truckers idling their vehicles, they may be just wasting fuel, unless they have a very old truck!).
Should You Idle a Hybrid Car?
If you have a hybrid car, you dont need to worry about idling at all!
Idle-stop, or stop-start as its often called, shuts down a cars engine completely when it isnt needed. The engine restarts when the driver accelerates. Its all handled automatically.
Idle-Stop or Stop-Start Technology
In Europe and Asia most hybrid cars offer this technology, and they are selling well. Idle-stop was slower to arrive in the US, and was originally available only in luxury models such as the Porsche Cayenne and BMW M3.
Car manufacturers said there were no government incentives to add Stop-Start to their cars. And somecar industry players were quoted as saying their customers dont care about fuel economy. (The price of gas / petrol in the US is much less than for example in Europe).
Since 2016 however, the technology is more widely available in the US, which is (theoretically) good news for the environment.But heres whats different about US drivers many switch the option off!
That means theyre not benefiting from fuel savings, and theyre using more fossil fuels than they need to. And its one of the reasons quoted by Mazda for not adding Stop-Start to US cars even though their Japanese cars have used the technology since 2010.
Does that matter? What do you think?
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Why is idling so bad for your car? What to know about the downsides of leaving your engine on
Idling is when you leave your cars engine running while not moving. Long thought to be better for your car than shutting it down, idling actually gets you nowhere.
Heres why you should turn off your engine rather than idle it.
01.
Idling lowers your cars fuel economy
A car engine can use as much as half a gallon of fuel per hour idling. Thats wasting an eighth of a gallon of gas for the 15 minutes spent waiting to pick up your kid from school. A misconception that many have is that idling is overall better than restarting your car this isnt true in many aspects, especially in fuel use. Idling longer than 10 seconds uses more gas than restarting your engine. Save fuel by shutting off your engine instead.
02.
Idling can damage your engine
Contrary to popular belief, idling doesnt protect your engine or help it run better. It does the opposite by causing unnecessary wear. An idle engine can cause twice the wear on internal parts cylinders, spark plugs, heat gasket, and more than an engine operating at a regular speed while driving. By not idling, you can extend the life of your engine.
03.
Idling costs you
Idling costs you in fuel and maintenance. For gas costing $3.55 per gallon, idling for 15 minutes wastes an eighth of a gallon and costs $0.44. These small costs add up quickly. Youll also pay more for frequent oil changes and part replacements because an idle engine unnecessarily burns oil and wears components. Save your money by idling only when absolutely necessary.
04.
Idling worsens air quality
While idling, a car releases harmful exhaust fumes and soot into the air we breathe. These pollutants can trigger respiratory issues, from coughing and throat irritation to asthma and bronchitis. Kids and those who have a history of respiratory illness are most vulnerable. Breathe easier by shutting off your engine while you wait in your car.
05.
Idling harms the planet
Besides using more gas, idling longer than 10 seconds produces more carbon pollution than a restarting engine. An estimated 60 billion pounds of carbon pollution gets added to the air annually from idling cars. Other harmful air pollutants are released, including methane a very potent pollutant. Carbon and methane pollution in the air traps heat from the sun, causing average temperatures to increase globally and extreme weather events to intensify. You can help the planet by turning your engine off.
Cant decide when you should turn your car off? If youre waiting more than 10 seconds, turn your engine off, except in traffic or at stoplights.
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Why Idling is Bad for Your Car (and the Environment)
What do you know about car idling? What you dont know, might surprise you! A rigorously held belief among many drivers is that warming up the car prevents damaging the engine in cold weather. While you want to avoid over-revving a cold engine, driving gently is a better way to heat up the engine than idling it for 10 or 15 minutes before you leave for work. Learn more about this and the dangers of letting your car idle.
What Does It Mean to Idle Your Car?
Idling a car is when a vehicles engine is running, but the vehicle is not moving. Idling occurs when you are waiting for the red traffic light to turn green. It seems harmless enough, but is it? Read on to find out what is happening to your car, and to the environment around your car, when you idle.
What Happens When You Idle Your Car?
While many probably dont think twice about Letting their car idle while in park, letting your car idle is actually detrimental to the modern automotive engine, wastes gasoline, and negatively impacts the environment.
While engines of yesteryear may have benefited from a warm-up, modern engines do not, need more than a few seconds or idling time before they can be driven safely. Contrary to popular belief, turning your vehicle off and on does not damage the engine, drain the battery or waste gas.
Batteries of today are designed to require less power per engine start. They are designed to have better power reserves and recharge faster. Starters are also stronger and more reliable. So, all those car parts that you were worried about wearing out from turning off the car are no longer something to worry about.
The 10-Seconds Rule
When it comes to cars, apply the 10-seconds rule (no, we arent talking about food being dropped on the ground with this one.) Research shows that it is more fuel efficient to turn a car off and restart it (rather than keep it idling) as long as the car will be off for more than 10 seconds. With modern electronic ignition systems and improved car batteries, if you are going to be idling for more than 10 seconds, it is better for the car, the cars engine, your pocketbook and the environment to simply turn off the car and restart it when you are ready to press the gas pedal.
The Dangers of Exhaust Fumes
Exhaust emitted into the atmosphere from idling vehicles poses real health risks as exposure can cause lung and respiratory problems. Exhaust also aggravates asthma and allergies. In addition to these factors, the carbon dioxide emissions from exhaust contribute to global warming.
Not Everyone Has a Hybrid Car
Hybrid cars eliminate idling even when a car is stopped involuntarily (for example at a red light). The technology in hybrid cars are designed to help cancel idling and emissions. However, much of the world still has traditional vehicles so we have to be responsible for how we use them. Choosing not to idle our cars can be one of the simplest things we can do to help our environment.
Prepare Yourself and Your Car for Temperature Changes
Idling your car doesnt just happen at stop lights. Many people fall guilty of car idling when the temperatures are either really cold or really warmwe want our heaters running or we want our air conditioners keeping us comfortable. Instead of relying on the car to keep you warm or cold, prepare by dressing for the weather and keeping blankets or cooling tools in your car.
Watch Out, In Some States Idling Could Result in a Fine
And if protecting your engine/environment was incentive enough, a majority of states have what are known as anti-idling laws, and if they arent obeyed, you could end up with a fine, reports Popular Mechanics. Designed to help curb the negative effects of idling cars on our environment and reduce vehicle theft, these anti-idling laws sure send a strong message!
Looking for automotive services to help increase your fuel efficiency? Contact Scotts Fort Collins Auto & Repair or call us at (970) 682-4202 to set up an appointment.
How To Warm Up a Hybrid Car In Winter
How To Warm Up a Hybrid Car In Winter
Hybrid cars are an excellent alternative for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on gas.
They use both gasoline and electric power, but during the winter, you should approach the process of warming up the car slightly differently.
The primary method of warming a hybrid car in winter is to start the car and let it idle for 2-5 minutes. This allows you to run the heat while idle so the cabin can warm up too.
However, it is not necessary to allow as much time for warming up compared to other vehicles. This is because the lean mixture and oxygen sensors are already fully heated.
For example, when you first turn on the car, it will run the gas motor until the temperature reaches a certain level. If this worries you, waiting about 5 minutes should provide plenty of time.
If you are worried about letting the interior warm, too, you may need to wait up to 10 minutes. Be sure to turn the heat on inside the vehicle when starting it.
Do You Need To Warm Up Your Hybrid Car In Winter?
Warming up your car in the winter is not always necessary. Knowing what you should and shouldn't do regarding your vehicle is essential.
But what about the battery? Most hybrid cars have a nickel-metal hydride battery that needs to be charged regularly. When it gets cold, the vehicle uses gas until the car gets warm enough.
You wont need to warm up your hybrid in terms of pure performance. It will not damage the vehicle or cause any issues if you drive immediately after starting the car in the winter.
However, it can help in the long term. It is especially smart if you are worried about the environment because your vehicle runs on the gas until it gets warmed up.
Some argue that waiting for the car to warm up is terrible for fuel efficiency, but there is no research to confirm this.
If you want your car's interior to be warm or you prefer to drive on the battery, it is smart to wait for the hybrid to warm up.
Does Cold Weather Affect Hybrids?
Cold weather is a factor that can affect the performance of a hybrid car. Hybrid cars are designed to run on electricity and gasoline.
The gasoline engine will not start in cold weather because it needs to be warmed up first.
This means the car will only use the electric motor, which is less powerful than when both engines run.
The temperature outside can have a significant impact on the performance of a hybrid vehicle. They tend to perform worse in colder climates because the battery does not provide the same range.
How Long Does It Take To Warm Up A Hybrid Car?
Hybrid cars are great for the environment, but they must warm up before you can use them. But it is not as critical as other vehicles.
The time it takes to warm up varies depending on the weather and the type of car. To start driving, it only takes about one minute to warm up.
But it is best to allow for 3-10 minutes if possible. This ensures better performance and gives the vehicle's interior more time to warm up.
If you are in a rush, waiting a minute is enough time to give your car enough to get going. But you should still expect the engine to be cold and the interior to be uncomfortably cold.
Do Hybrids Take Longer To Warm Up Than Gas Cars In Winter?
Hybrid cars warm up much faster than the average gas-powered car. In fact, they take about 5 minutes to warm up compared to gas cars which take about 10-15 minutes.
The main reason hybrids warm up faster is that they use electric motors that generate power quickly and efficiently, which means there is no need for a combustion engine to burn fuel to create energy.
Hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient and also have a lower carbon footprint. The gas vehicle relies more on the oil, meaning a cold engine performs poorly and heating up takes longer.
Will A Hybrid Car Battery Freeze In Winter?
Hybrid car batteries operate well in all weather conditions except for extreme freezing temperatures.
But they are designed to have a low freezing point and avoid damage from frost. While the performance may decline in these conditions, the battery does not freeze.
They have a battery management system that prevents them from freezing, despite the cold. However, each hybrid battery differs, and the exact temperature they can handle will vary.
The battery management system monitors the temperature and only allows the car to start when it is appropriate for the battery to start.
How Does Cold Weather In Winter Affect A Hybrid Car?
Winter is a time when cold weather can be difficult for hybrid cars. This is because their engines and batteries are also not designed to work under these conditions.
Below we will discuss how cold weather in winter affects a hybrid car and some ways it can be avoided.
Worse Fuel Efficiency
Hybrid cars are known for their fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, there is a downside to hybrid cars, which is the decrease in fuel efficiency when it's extremely cold outside.
In fact, they decrease by 30-34% in cold weather and winter conditions. This is quite significant and worth noting when driving during the winter.
Decreased Battery Capacity
Hybrid cars will not perform as well in winter as in summer due to decreased battery capacity. This is due to cold weather and less air conditioning, which means less power.
It also takes longer for your hybrid to charge in the winter. The temperature impacts the battery in many ways, but longevity and charge capacity are the two primary effects.
For this reason, hybrids are still not as popular in colder regions. They cannot provide the same mileage capabilities as they do in the summer yet.
Less Road Traction
Hybrid cars are becoming more popular because of their fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly designs. However, they also have some downsides.
One of the most significant disadvantages is that they don't provide as much traction in the winter season because of their compact and aerodynamic design.
The smaller size has a lot to do with it and a high-tech battery system that uses less energy but makes them less powerful on ice or snow-covered roads.
