With the Town of Canmore now contemplating a ban on vehicle idling, the right move is to collect feedback from residents.
Ideally, it would be great if all vehicles would shut down to avoid pumping extra exhaust into the atmosphere we all share and breath.
At the Outlook, though, we wonder if an anti-idling policy is enforceable. After all, Town vehicles are sometimes seen idling when a staffer is working nearby. Recently, in fact, a pickup was left running while a worker was shovelling/salting sidewalks at a Main Street intersection.
We’re also not sure a commercial vehicle-only idling ban would have much effect. If the intent is to reduce greenhouse gases and increase air quality, what difference will it make if a Greyhound bus or tractor trailer delivery unit, say, is forced to shut down while picking up passengers or delivering cargo while all around them dozens of privately owned vehicles, including badly tuned ones, are puffing out clouds?
As with many things “green” or environmentally friendly, idling is a matter of mindset and perception.
There are diesel pickup owners who mistakenly believe it’s better to leave them idling than re-starting. There are many vehicle owners who aren’t willing to suffer even one degree outside of what they feel is their ideal comfort zone and hence, leave their vehicle idling to keep the heater running in winter and leave their vehicle idling to keep the air conditioner running in summer.
Remote starters have only increased the amount of idling going on out there. There are even private owners who leave vehicles idling to keep pets content at an optimal temperature while they stop for a coffee or shop – rather than sensibly leave them at home.
What about taxis waiting for clients? What about idling at drive-through eateries in town? Rarely do you see a vehicle shut down, no matter how long a lineup is.
Then there is the discussion that possibly in winter vehicles should be allowed to idle. Should this be allowed, what would be the temperature threshold? At -20 C, -30 C, -40 C?
There are also misconceptions related to idling. To possibly assist in idling discussions, we offer the following.
Obviously, when idling, your fuel economy is zero; zero litres per hundred kilometres. You’re going nowhere, but you’re burning fuel.
In winter, your vehicle warms up more quickly by driving slowly than idling. Ideally, you should fire up a vehicle, let it idle just long enough to get the oil flowing, then drive away slowly. Your engine will warm up quicker under load than by idling. This runs counter, of course, to those who feel they must jump into a room-temperature vehicle at all times.
Most, if not all, vehicle owner manuals will highlight the fact that extended idling is bad for your vehicle. Usually, though, they don’t mention why and many believe it’s an issue of overheating. However, the issue is that at idle, your engine is running rich and spewing maximum hydrocarbons while doing so. While spewing and putting more gasoline into the cylinders at idle than normal, gasoline is washing oil off the internal workings and damage can occur.
Excessive idling affects your vehicle maintenance schedule because oil change intervals generally don’t take idling into account.
For more, visit http://motoringtv.com/segments/tip-of-the-week/?cur=1445
