To the Editor
I come across a news story every few months about a vehicle stolen from a residence. In most cases, the owner had been heating the vehicle’s engine in cold weather. The UPD advises residents to stop this practice to prevent vehicle theft, according to the article.
There are other reasons why you should not leave the engine of a gasoline-powered vehicle running while it is being parked. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), warm up your car in winter no longer than 30 seconds. Cars with carburetors were replaced by electronic ignition systems that allow the engine to warm up more quickly when driven. Toyota Motors advises not to let your vehicle heat up for longer than necessary before driving it. . . It is best to only start your car when you are ready.
Idling has a negative impact upon the environment. Researchers have discovered that 1.6 percent all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by idle vehicles. These emissions trap heat in our atmosphere and warm the earth. The polluting gases released from idling vehicles have been linked with serious illnesses such as asthma, cancer, and heart disease. According to the Environmental Defense Fund one pound of carbon dioxide will be prevented from entering the environment for every 10 minutes that your engine is turned off. The EPA recommends that you avoid sitting in an idling vehicle, as you and your children are inhaling more carbon dioxide from the exhaust.
You can also save money by not running your vehicle. The EPA reports that idling can cause wear and tear on your engine, as well as costing you up to half a gallons of fuel per hour, depending on how big your engine is and whether you have air conditioning.
-Susan Sher, Climate Action Mendocino, Ukiah
