Topic: Please settle this debate with my spouse

[UmroAyyar]

I personally would not bother unless it was 3 minutes or more of idling. Too much engine wear upon startup, and I don't see the benefit (besides emissions reduction, which is noteworthy but not worth it to me). I think it would use more gas than 10 seconds of idling, but if warm still perhaps not.

I'd agree with you if I was 1st in line, shutting down the engine to save 3-4 minutes of idling wouldn't be worth it... but if you're 6-7-8th in line... you'll easily save 20-25 minutes of idling.

You said it Shnak! 

[wing]

exJunkie, if it does say that it is because it can't measure it, usually it's a "-"  but it probably says Km/L

[AVToller]

The 10 second rule applies. The environment and your wallet will both thank you for not idling longer than that. You are definitely correct. Thanks and good luck in the argument. 

[tortoise]

[Too much engine wear upon startup.

On a warm engine? 

[weebl]

A debate with your wife, you have already lost even if you are right.

You are right, but you've still lost the debate.  Best not to bring it up again with her, or you'll be sleeping next to Fido tonight. 

[onearmed]

I was just waiting at the auto car wash. I was about 8 cars back, I shut off my car during the waits.  I timed the wash, approx 3.5 minutes a car.  Save the environment, and your wallet.

[dr_spock]

You're right, she's wrong.  If she doesn't agree, you can make her walk home.  :-)

[Brigitte]

Once a month is good enough for a beige Corolla.  (yes, its beige, blasphemy on a car nut forum  )

All Corollas are beige.  All Civics are silver.   

I always turn off the ignition if my idle time is to be more than two minutes.  I don't know why -- I just do.  Especially when the World's Longest Train is going by at the railway crossing near my house, and I'm stuck waiting.

[barrie1]

We actually have a idleing bylaw in London where after 5 minutes you can be charged while waiting for a train, traffic light or any other delay. Its mainly only during the winter where you have to idle an engine anyways to keep the heater going. You also have to be with the vehicle if you do leave it on and not sitting in the house like my next door neighbour. He got charged around $135. for that fine. He wasen't even watching the car with it running in his driveway. He still does the same silly habit and has had the car actually stolen once out of his driveway. 

[si]

All Civics are silver.

Oops.   

We actually have a idleing bylaw in London where after 5 minutes you can be charged while waiting for a train, traffic light or any other delay. Its mainly only during the winter where you have to idle an engine anyways to keep the heater going. You also have to be with the vehicle if you do leave it on and not sitting in the house like my next door neighbour. He got charged around $135. for that fine. He wasen't even watching the car with it running in his driveway. He still does the same silly habit and has had the car actually stolen once out of his driveway. 

So are remote car starters illegal in London - or is the use of them illegal?

[Shnak]

All Civics are silver.

Oops.   

We actually have a idleing bylaw in London where after 5 minutes you can be charged while waiting for a train, traffic light or any other delay. Its mainly only during the winter where you have to idle an engine anyways to keep the heater going. You also have to be with the vehicle if you do leave it on and not sitting in the house like my next door neighbour. He got charged around $135. for that fine. He wasen't even watching the car with it running in his driveway. He still does the same silly habit and has had the car actually stolen once out of his driveway. 

So are remote car starters illegal in London - or is the use of them illegal?

Pretty sure we have the exact same bylaw here in Gatineau and Ottawa... you can use a remote car starter, but for no more than 5 minutes. 5 minutes is enough to ge the car warmed up a bit anyways. You should use a blockheater anyways.

[Panzer]

Pretty sure we have the exact same bylaw here in Gatineau and Ottawa...

I didn't believe it at first but looked it up and Shnak is right, at least for Ottawa: no idling for more than 5 minutes unless it's for the 'welfare of the passengers, occupants or animals inside'.

I also read a different by-law that prohibits the dumping of oil or other chemical substances on highways (ie: any road), INCLUDING substances related to rust protection.

[wing]

Yup we have the MANY by-laws that will never EVER be enforced.  I could idle my car for hours in my driveway and I guarantee I would never be charged.

[G0dspd]

Especially in Ottawa where we have By-law officers ... I rarely see them around.  The only time you see them they're going in bars/restaurants to enforce the no smoking by-law we have here.  They'll never go to your place for idling your car  ... you would have to park right in front of them and give them the finger after 1 hour. 

[wing]

The by-law officers live downtown where all the money is to be made for illegal parking.

[fhw]

Wow...we actually just moved to London this past summer.  This is great news, because now I don't have an argument to win, it's merely the law.

[weebl]

Wow...we actually just moved to London this past summer.  This is great news, because now I don't have an argument to win, it's merely the law.

Now if only all arguments in a marriage were that easy to settle, eh?

"Why do you have to drink beer and watch hockey?"

"Because it's the law."   

[wing]