Shut engine off at stop lights....

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TexasRammer

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Is it bad to shut your engine off at stop lights that take a long time. Sometimes I do it on my way to school when I get stuck in traffic at a long stop light or waiting for a train to pass, just trying to save on gas. just wondering what your thoughts are, or if it has any negative effects on the engine...
 

Graygoose

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no need, burn up starter faster than what you waste in gas............
 

Deviate

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I can't remember where I saw it, but somewhere I read that if you are going to be stopped for longer than 30 seconds you could turn off the engine because it will use more gas than cranking the truck back up.

Actually I found this by Googling it, but it's not where I read it originally. And that is from California so take that for what you will. :)

I do agree with Graygoose...the wear and tear on other components will likely cost you more in the long run than the gas does now.
 

garner

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I did that once at a red light in like the middle of nowhere that felt like it took 5 minutes to turn green cause I was low on fuel and didn't want to run the red and have a cop come out from nowhere. Not sure what damage it did since it was only once
 

EJM05

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I do it all the time. Mainly in traffic. Not at red lights
 

HemiBabe

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I've always heard you waste more starting it back up versus idling, but I'm too scared to kill it... I'd be afraid it wouldn't restart lol


[tapatalkin]
 

KGBIGCOUNTRY

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Only time I have turned mine off was in a traffic jam that we were parked basically.
 

txbass06

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I've done it a few times in mine but that was stuck waiting on a train for a good 15-20 minutes
 
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TexasRammer

TexasRammer

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Actually I found this by Googling it, but it's not where I read it originally. And that is from California so take that for what you will. :)

I do agree with Graygoose...the wear and tear on other components will likely cost you more in the long run than the gas does now.
I remember seeing that page once a while back... it says that restarting has little impact on components but im not sure how accurate that is.

I've always heard you waste more starting it back up versus idling, but I'm too scared to kill it... I'd be afraid it wouldn't restart lol
[tapatalkin]
lol im sometimes afraid about that too... i think it would only waste more gas starting it back up if you have a carb, at least thats what ive heard.

I just hate when i get stopped at a red light i know is long or get stopped waiting for a train(i cross 2 railroads on the way to school and always manage to get stopped at least once a week)
 

Grubrunner

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I've always heard you waste more starting it back up versus idling,....


[tapatalkin]

Not true.

With today's technology in cars, you waste very little fuel during the start up process.

Its not like the cars of yesteryear where you almost always lost a good amount of fuel during the star up due to those guzzling carbs. Today's fuel injected vehicle are nothing of the sort.

I live by the 30 second rule: if I am idling more than 30secs then I'm shutting down my engine.

Be warned though.... In many states, it's illegal to shut off your engine while in traffic.
 
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TexasRammer

TexasRammer

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I live by the 30 second rule: if I am idling more than 30secs then I'm shutting down my engine.

Be warned though.... In many states, it's illegal to shut off your engine while in traffic.

good rule, and ya i kinda thought it might be illegal, just gotta be careful
 

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