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Thread: Idle vs Engine Restart?

  1. #1
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    Idle vs Engine Restart?

    I deliver pizzas part time and have been doing so for years. I have always thought that leaving the car idle instead of killing the engine when I run to someone's door was the best route. Since I got my Honda I have noticed that it drops my MPG by a LOT just idling for the 2-3 minutes per stop. I always kill the engine when I go to a bad area/apartment complex, but if I go to a neighborhood and park right outside the house I leave it running so I can jump in and go.

    I figured this accomplished a few things:
    Less wear and tear on the battery, starter, and smaller amount of gas used (idle vs STARTING motor)

    My question is if this logic if flawed in anyway.





    On a side note, with the proximity/push button start if I leave the car with the key fob in my pocket will it stay running? Can I lock the car with it running using the key fob?


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2010 Yaris 1.5 manual: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)


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    somewhere on some forum someone said idling longer than 7 seconds is the point at which you should shut down. It can't take much fuel to start the engine, think about it. as far as battery/starter wear, the world may never know. I would shut down myself. there are crazy people (I won't mention any names) that shut down at redlights!!!!!

  3. #3
    I'd shut down the engine. Here's why:

    Idle-stop is one of the mains reasons hybrids get very good city fuel economy, and it's why automakers are adding "idle stop / start" systems to non-hybrid drivetrains like the Mirage to stop the engine at red lights, etc. Crazy engineers, eh?

    - An engine that has been recently running (still hot) will restart with the smallest effort from the starter.

    - The 12v battery will also be sitting at a higher voltage (having recently been charged by the alternator at 14.x volts), so will have excess power to deliver to the starter, compared to a "cold" battery.

    - Restarting an engine uses just a tiny amount of fuel. I've seen an experiment which showed fuel is saved by shutting down & re-starting, even if it's less than 10 seconds (for a warm engine).

    Try it - you'll see a noticeable increase in fuel economy if you shut off the engine during deliveries.

    Do you have a fuel economy gauge in the pizza car?

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    The car has the mpg read outs.


    Well, good to know I've been wasting gas! Although if I am outside someones house, to me, it feels like it is easier to just leave it running. with the push button start, maybe I will start shutting down more often.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2010 Yaris 1.5 manual: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)


  5. #5
    How long does a re-start take? 1.5 seconds? It would be the same with the push-button.

    While your customers are eating their tasty pizzas, idling is eating into your profits.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Do you think it would be hard on the push button to constantly be hitting it 25-30 times a day 2-3 days a week? :P

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2010 Yaris 1.5 manual: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)


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    If not for your sake, for the sake of pizza turn off

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    its also hard on your door to open and close that much, ever try climbing thru the window dukes of hazard style holding a three cheese pizza?

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to kalifornia For This Useful Post:

    mohammad (06-09-2021)

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    Ditto on turning it off. The only thing I'll add is the main cause of starter failure is from overheating (from a car not starting and keeping on trying to start it), not from normal use, especially on a warm engine.
    Custom Mirage products: Cruise control kit, Glove box light, MAF sensor housing, Rear sway bar, Upper grill block

    Current project: DIY Nitrous oxide setup for ~$100

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 47.2 mpg (US) ... 20.1 km/L ... 5.0 L/100 km ... 56.7 mpg (Imp)


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    Quote Originally Posted by kalifornia View Post
    its also hard on your door to open and close that much, ever try climbing thru the window dukes of hazard style holding a three cheese pizza?
    hah OK I get it, I'm sorry! jezzz!


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2010 Yaris 1.5 manual: 36.9 mpg (US) ... 15.7 km/L ... 6.4 L/100 km ... 44.3 mpg (Imp)


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