Does turning the car engine off at traffic lights help save gas?

Question

Also, does doing that harm the car in any way like shortening the life of spark plugs etc?

Thanks,

Answer 1

Sweet mother of Pearl! NO, you don't save any gas by turning your car off at traffic lights! In fact, you likely would use more, because each time you start your car the fuel pump has to "refill" the injectors and pressure regulator, AND the computer raises the idle slightly every time you start your car until it reads that the engine is fully warm. PLUS! You would be putting WAY more stress and wear on your STARTER, BATTERY, and ALTERNATOR.
Make sure your oil/filter, spark plugs, and air filter are changed at proper intervals, keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure, and use good quality gasoline. That will give you the best gas mileage. (Keep the engine RUNNING, O.K.?)

Answer 2

Starting your car will burn about 10 minutes worth of gas if you were idling. So no, It's not worth it. Other than that, any wear on the car wouldn't be significant in any way. Most importantly, it will be dangerous if you do that because everyone around you will get pissed off at you while they wait for you to start your car. It's just a dumb idea. If it helped, more people would do it.

Answer 3

This already is being done by the Toyota Prius Hybrid car, however on a ordanary car it would not be worth the wear and tear due to the fact that this process is what causes most of the wear to a car engine and components.

Answer 4

No because starting your car up takes more gas than ideing for 30 seconds

Answer 5

depends on how long the light is.if the light takes say 3 or 4 mins. then yeah turning it off probably helps but otherwise its probably worse since it takes more fuel at start up then it does for idling for a minute or two , plus it will wear the starter out much quicker

your better off just turning off the A/C if you have that on when you get to a traffic light


B.

if you really want to save gas , walk or ride a bike to the store when you need just a few items , also good for your health :)

Answer 6

Hi
if you get in a big traffic like motorway cut off due to a very bad accident , by turning off your engine ,of course you save petrol , in normal kind of traffic problem , remember every time you start your engine , its costing you the equivalent of 1.5 mile (2.5 kms ) each time ,putting the consumption (mpg )
higher , then its costing money
rgds
claude

Answer 7

Wouldn't be worth the little you'd save due to extra wear on the starter system.

Answer 8

would probobly be worse on gas and hurt your starter as well...not a good idea to do so...now the hybrid cars have this feature set up for them, but with its technology, it doesnt hurt mileage or moving parts....but a normal car would not fair as well

Answer 9

no as it will take at least the same amount of gas to restart. also you will shorten the life of your starter.

Answer 10

it does some damage on the starter if you keep staring and stopping it constantly. just keep it running, if you want to save gas throw it in Neutral.