anti_idle

UMaine sustainability alliance

UMaine's vehicle idle policy:
- idling is prohibited when the ambient temperature is above 32ºF.
- 5 minute maximum idle time limit when the temperature is 32ºF and below.
- vehicles will not be left idling when the operator is away from the vehicle.
- idling is prohibited in "no exhaust zones"
DOWNLOAD the policy

Exceptions:
- emergency response vehicles when responding to an emergency
- vehicles that must maintain a specific temperature for onboard materials
- health or safety reasons (e.g. severe weather conditions, use of vehicle safety features)
- below 0ºF for diesel vehicles
- specified facilities vehicles
- traffic conditions

Vehicle Idling Facts:
1. ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it.
2. you need no more than 30 seconds of idling to warm up your engine on winter days.
3. most components of your vehicle (tires, transmission, wheel bearings, catalytic converter)
warm up when you begin to drive. Driving a vehicle cuts warm-up times in half.
4. excessive idling can be hard on your engine
5. an idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling 32 mph. an idling engine
is working below its peak temperature and does not combust fuel completely.
6. engine exhaust (diesel and gas) contains more than 40 hazardous air pollutants
DOWNLOAD vehicle idling facts

(reference: Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada)