C
APRIL 2002
WHATLUI
D jesel engines play an important role in the transport
WHAT CAN of goods and services nationwide. They are a durable and
You Do? economical source of power. However, there is growing
Turn off your concern about the health effects associated with exposure
to diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust affects everyone, but
, hen ]JUI ve 1 iic e ‘ people with existing heart or lung disease, asthma, or
not 0 other respiratory problems are most sensitive to the
small particles in diesel exhaust. Fortunately, new emission
standards and new technology are helping to ensure that the
Use e 0 IC CF1 fl cleaner diesel engines of the future will dramatically
Ioãtfo3 4 , “!Z reduce these health risks. If you drive a truck, there are several
rn w things that you can do now to save money and reduce pollution.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS
us iu i i i i . ’ ASSOCIATED WITH IDLING?
‘iflnad IDLING WASTES FUEL AND MONEY
• A typical truck burns approximately one gallon of diesel
fuel for each hour it idles.
ic n’
If this truck idles for 6 hours per day and operates 300
days a year, it would consume I ,800 gallons of fuel per
year, simply idling.
C At a price of $ I .25 per gallon of diesel, this idling comes
with a price tag of $2,250 per truck.
New England
For more information: IDLING CAUSES EXCESSIVE ENGINE WEAR
• Running an engine at low speed (idling) causes twice the
Visit www.epa.gov/ne/ wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular
eco/diesel/, or call the speeds. According to the American Trucking Association,
such wear can increase maintenance costs by almost
EPA Air Quality Hotline at
$2,000 per year and shorten the life of the engine.
1-800-821-1237
UNNECESSARY IDLING CAUSES POLLUTION
• Idling vehicles can emit significant amounts of pollution
including: carbon dioxide, which contributes to global
climate change; nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
compounds, both of which contribute to the formation of
ozone smog; poisonous carbon monoxide; and particulate
matter.
IDLING POSES HEALTH RISKS TO DRIVERS
• While sitting in an idling vehicle, drivers are exposed to
the vehicle s pollution more so than when the vehicle is in
motion since there is no air flow to vent the emissions.
continued
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SAVE MONEY AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY
IDLING—STEPS You CAN TAKE:
• Turn off your engine when your vehicle is not in motion. (Follow manufacturers
recommendations for cool-down — usually 3-5 minutes after full load operation.)
• Follow manufacturers recommendations for minimum warm-up time — usually 3 to
5 minutes depending on the vehicle.
• Use electric engine heaters (such as block heaters) to minimize idling time during
warm-up, especially in cold weather.
• Install a small generator or auxiliary power unit specifically designed for a truck that
provides heat, air conditioning, and/or electrical power while the vehicle is not in
motion. These devices are a better, more efficient alternative to idling as they use
substantially less fuel and emit less pollution. Depending on the amount of time spent
idling each year, the payback on these devices can be one to two years.
• When buying new equipment, purchase engines already equipped with devices that
minimize idling and warm-up time automatically.
• Follow anti-idling laws and guidelines in your state. Currently, three New England
states have anti-idling laws: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
FACTS ABOUT DIESEL ENGINES AND IDLING
Although there are some legitimate reasons why trucks and buses idle (e.g., to bring the
engine to proper operating temperature), there are also some misconceptions. Most engine manufacturers
recommend that newer
INITIAL STARTiNG / WARM-UP TIME
Most engine manufacturers recommend that newer engines run for roughly 3-5 minutes engines run for roughly 3.5
before driving. In colder climates, block heaters are a good alternative to excessive idling. minutes before and after
They plug into electrical outlets and help warm the engine to avoid starting difficulties and driving
reduce idling time during engine warm-up.
RESTARTING Today’s winter blends of
Although engine manufacturers recommend that you let your engine idle for a few diesel fuel are much less
minutes after you stop, most newer diesel engines will stay warm for several hours after likely to gel in cold weather
they have been running, retaining more than enough heat to keep the engine warm and
avoid starting difficulties. Older vehicles may have more difficulty restarting, but don t
assume new engines should be operated like older ones. Check the manufacturer s Letting an engine idle actually
recommendations. - does more damage to the
engine than starting and
FUEL GELLING
Gelling of diesel fuel used to be a problem years ago, but refiners have worked to resolve stopping
that issue by creating winter blends that better withstand colder temperatures.
ENGINE WEAR AND TEAR I
Letting an engine idle actually does more damage to the engine than starting and
stopping. Running an engine at low speed (idling) causes twice the wear on internal parts
compared to driving at regular speeds, which can increase maintenance costs and shorten
the life of the engine. Generally, fuel consumption during engine start-up is equivalent to -i -.
about 30 seconds of engine idling, IN ew i ngian
1 Congress Street
Suite 1100
Boston, MA 021 14.2023
www.epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel/
EPA Air Quality Hotline:
1.800.821.1237

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