Should you let your car idle?
It’s a topic of hot debate; some drivers think that car idling is harmless and makes the driving experience more convenient and comfortable, while other drivers believe that the practice is harmful to the vehicle itself, not to mention the environment and their wallet. Toyota of N Charlotte’s auto service techs are here to clear up the questions surrounding the issue so you can take the best possible care of your car!
What is car idling, and why is it detrimental to your ride?
Car idling is when you let your car run for more than 10 minutes without moving, and here’s the bottom line: idling is NOT good for your vehicle, your wallet, or the environment. Our Charlotte auto service techs have given us a list of reasons why, so check them out before you hit the road:
It wears out your car faster. Believe it or not, it’s true – if you’re guilty of idling your car on a regular basis, you’re wearing out elements under the hood faster than normal. That’s because your car is still RUNNING, so the parts are being put to use even if you’re not moving. This means your spark plus, cylinders, exhaust system, and more will all have a shorter lifespan and you’ll have to schedule Charlotte auto service to replace them sooner than you would normally need to.
It’s bad for fuel efficiency. Did you know that idling your car for 2 minutes uses up roughly the same amount of gas as driving a mile? That adds up quickly, and it eats into the overall fuel efficiency of your drive time. Our Toyota Service Center in Charlotte informed us that you actually use LESS gas if you turn your car off and then restart it, believe it or not! Don’t bump your fuel costs unnecessarily!
Learn why idling your car should be avoided
It’s not green – at all. Car idling is bad for the environment – in fact, it’s illegal in some states for that very reason. When you’re idling, your car is still putting out emissions, which means it’s contributing to smog formation even if you’re not moving. That’s another reason why our Charlotte auto service techs recommend shutting your car off if you’re stuck in bad traffic or waiting in a parking lot!
It can run up your car maintenance costs. Like we said, just because you’re not moving doesn’t mean that your car isn’t working! When you idle your car, you’re actually still using up things like oil, coolant, transmission fluid, etc., as opposed to when you turn your car off. This could mean more frequent oil changes, coolant flushes, and other Charlotte car maintenance, which in turn means a heavier toll on your wallet and time. Why run up your bills if you can avoid it?
Want more information about car idling or to schedule routine car care in Charlotte? Call us today at (888) 378-1214! We’re open and waiting for you at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23.
