Should You Turn Off Your Engine at a Red Light?

It is common for people to turn off their engines when stopped at a red light, either out of habit or because they believe it will save a significant amount of fuel. However, scientific analysis reveals that this practice does not actually offer such benefits.

Turning off your engine at a red light does not save gas as some might think. However, it can reduce the amount of emissions released into the surrounding environment.

Countering the belief that turning off the engine at a red light saves gas, some argue that when a car is idling (without turning off the engine), the gas pedal is already in a low mode, consuming less fuel. Therefore, turning off the engine is redundant and unnecessary.

Additionally, restarting the car can use more gas and cause wear and tear on the components. If the car is not regularly maintained, it may stall, leading to traffic congestion and inconveniencing others.

This perspective is valid if the duration of the red light is very short (less than 20 seconds). In many localities, especially in large cities, the red light at most intersections does not last long, usually around 30-40 seconds, and sometimes even less than 20 seconds. Meanwhile, the density of lights is high and they are placed in close proximity. Therefore, constantly turning the engine on and off will only cause harm without any significant benefits.

Hence, it is advisable to turn off the engine only when stuck in traffic or stopped at a particularly long red light. This way, the amount of gas saved will be substantial. To prevent stalling, it is recommended to turn off the engine only when the car starts and runs smoothly.

When the traffic light turns green in 5 seconds, it is advisable to restart the engine promptly to be able to move in time, without causing any disruption to the traffic flow. For intersections with very short red lights, it is best to simply idle and not turn off the engine. For those driving manual transmission cars, you can put the gear in first and slowly press the accelerator to avoid a sudden jerk.

Regardless of the situation, turning off the engine while waiting at a red light will always benefit the environment.

According to Khoevadep

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