Today: one of the simplest ways to save on gas.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Dear Tom and Ray:

This is a question I have always thought I knew the answer to, but now I am searching for a concrete answer, and who better to turn to? Does a vehicle use more gasoline in starting the engine than it uses in idling for say, five to 10 minutes? The reason for the question comes from "discussions" with my wife about why I leave the car running when I run into the local 7-11. With gas prices being in the headlines on a daily basis now, she says it's a waste of gas to leave the car running, while I debate that the car burns more gas during ignition. Therefore, more-frequent shutoffs equal more burned gas. Being the husband, I am told by my wife that I am always wrong. Any chance I'm right this time? -- Charlie

TOM: Well, Charlie, good news: Your record is perfect. You're wrong again!

RAY: The only vehicle I know of that uses a ton of extra fuel getting started is the space shuttle.

TOM: All modern cars have computer-controlled fuel-injection systems, which meter out precisely the amount of gasoline the engine needs, and no more.

RAY: So, starting the car uses no additional gasoline. Your wife is absolutely right that if you're running into a convenience store, you should definitely turn off the engine to save fuel.

TOM: Hybrid vehicles do this automatically. When you come to a stop at a traffic light, even for a few seconds, the engine automatically shuts down. And then, as soon as you touch the gas pedal, it starts right up seamlessly, and takes you on your way.

RAY: And pretty soon, I suspect, lots of nonhybrid cars are going to have that same "stop-start" technology, because it DOES save quite a bit of fuel.

TOM: If it makes being wrong again any easier to take, Charlie, we should tell you that there was a time when cars had horribly wasteful carburetors. In those days, there probably WAS enough fuel leaking down and percolating to have made you correct -- if you were driving a '67 Buick Special.

RAY: And since you've obviously held this opinion for years, I don't see any reason for you to admit to your wife that you're wrong. Just tell her that the facts have had the audacity to change while you weren't paying attention.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Ar...08/July/08.html

[Jenn! 918]

Charlie is a bit behind the times! I feel like we've been hearing this ever since gas got above $3/gallon.

Edited July 26, 2008 by Jenn!

[natty bumppo 297]

In response to the thread title .... park the car and turn off the engine

[Mags 112]

Save fuel...walk or bike.

Thanks, folks. I'm here all day with gems like that.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Another, even longer-running argument in favour of turning off the engine and parking is the fact that large numbers of vehicles get stolen because the owner left them idling for "only moments" such as running into convenience store for a purchase.

The price and aggravation of having to replace a car is certainly much greater than the mythical savings Charlie would have obtained.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

In response to the thread title .... park the car and turn off the engine

yeah. Some old-wives tales won't die.