How Long is to Long?
We all know that the winters in Minnesota can be anything but comfortable. As creatures of comfort, we love to routinely start our cars prior to our expedition out into the cold. This may entail running a quick errand, going to work, or even dropping the kids off at school. In any case, the simple fact of the matter is that no one likes to sit in a cold car, which in Minnesota can seem like sitting in an oversized chest freezer at times. It may be apparent that most vehicles in today’s day and age include a remote starter. This can seem very useful, especially when it is cold outside. However, is it a good idea to start your car prior to you driving it? Contrary to popular belief your car needs no more than roughly ten seconds to warm up. So what are the negative effects that running an idle car may produce? In light of the many negative effects that come from idly running your car, here are three reasons why not to let your car run in an idle state for countless amounts of time.
- Idle running is bad for the engine: According to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation's Anti-Idling Primer, idling forces an engine "to operate in a very inefficient and gasoline-rich mode that, over time, can degrade the engine's performance and reduce mileage."
- Idle running costs money: Over a winter an excess of five minutes of daily idling (which causes incomplete combustion of fuel) will waste roughly $70 in gas money. This will also produce an overwhelming amount of excess carbon dioxide to be released into the air.
- Idle running increases chance of theft: Although the keys may not even be in the car, the fact that it is running will alone increase the chance of occurring theft. Leaving your car running without being present is like leaving your house unlocked, while not being home.
So as agonizing as the winter cold may be remember to think twice before idly running your car for extended periods of time. Idly running your car may decrease your gas mileage, shrink your wallet, and increase your chances of becoming a victim of theft. These are three situations that most people do not need to deal with in addition to the daily stress they wrestle.