Turning off engine at red lights

[Happy Toasti]

Do you do it? Does it save fuel?

[Caer Peris]

Why bother?
The saving you are going to make is negligible

[Happy Toasti]

Originally posted by Caer Peris:

Why bother?
The saving you are going to make is negligible

Is fuel consumption calculated by then use of the engine or the way you travel? I had some pretty long lasting red lights recently and it got me thinking

[Asigion]

You would only save a pittance and it is hardly worthwhile when you consider how much you would make doing a job. Even in real life it wouldn't be worth it unless you were stopped for a significant time.

[ubitmoosie]

I keep mine running, if I am doing a cargo pickup with my own trailer I'll shut it down before loading. Not sure if it makes a difference, I do it to be realistic. In real life, im pretty sure alot of states have anti-idling laws which you can get a heavy fine for idling for more than (i think) 5 minutes. Its mainly for loading/unloading to prevent unnecessary idling and polution I think.

[JDaremo Fireheart]

You got it, Willy.
In real life it's not done, and there are many reasons for it. I can't remember exactly what the reasons are for it, but the trucks aren't even shut down most of the time while the driver is sleeping.
Hopefully, one of the real life truckers who play will pop in and let us know . . . and refresh my memory as well

[K®o©K]

I have no idea for trucks but I sure have heard cars starting on traffic lights turning green, although I have no idea if it was done manually or automatically (I don't follow car stuff enough to know if such technology exist). I personally wouldn't do it neither in the game or in real life.

As others already said, the fuel economy is likely pretty minimal. I'm not a mechanic guy either but I wouldn't be surprised that stopping and starting the truck/car at every red light would put more strain on the starter and possibly the battery, forcing us to replace them prematurely, which would pretty much nullify the fuel/gas economy.

[LarryA]

"No" in RL you do not turn off the engine when stopped at a red light re guardless of the amount of time taken at a light and or traffic control by the DOT. Edit: If the engine is turned off at a light DOT will consider it a parked tractor trailer is against FMCS. Below is a few examples as to why you do not turn off the engine. Fuel saved is nothing. Cat 1693 TA. Parked. Set the RPM at 1000 RPM. In a 24 hour period will burn about 55 gal to 75 Gal of fuel Same for a Cat 3406 or a Cummins Big Cam 400 or a 350. Never allow a diesel engine to idle longer than 20 minutes if the engine is warm. Result in bearing failure over a long period of time, Piston oil wiper rings are minimum diameter & Pistons. Cause oil build up on top of the cylinders burn the oil, Score piston liners. Wipe out engine bearings and or turbo bearings.

1. Do not think there is a code in the FMCS regs could be mistaken time has changed. Each state can have stricter regs very well could be law issue per State DOT probably is.
2. Example if have a slow air leak or a stuck regulator valve open on the compressor could take several minutes to build the air pressure back to 95 Lbs to 110 LBs pressure. In this case the tractor trailer would not pass a DOT inspection. Typicaly when a regulator valve will stick open or closed whe the engine is turned off.
3. If the intake side or the exhaust side of the turbo is above 500 F Degrees can cause damage to a Turbo. A turbo should be cooled down to 300 f_400 F prior to shutting down the engine.
4. Cannot start a diesel imediatley put it in gear and release the clutch. Needs a few seconds for the oil pressure to rise, Fluids to start serculating properly.
5. "Can Not" stress this enough in re guards to safety. Please never do this in real life and ormin ATS. ATS provides a great opertunity to practice safety methods for Truck Hands and the Motoring Public.

Please be thought full of the motoring public as a Professional Truck Driver and General Public in ATS or RL.

Remember the story of the Hare and turtle. The Turtle won the race. Didint run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Please be safe and Have A Great Day

[Sandhill]

[quote=LarryA;2261313417705698427
5. Number of other reasons to many to list.

Sorry for the miss spelled words.
Have A Great Day [/quote]

Perhaps also that a large percentage of engine wear occurs during the first second or two of start up...wear wise you might idle for many hours to cause the same wear as one start up, and rebuilds do cost money...

[Happy Toasti]

Originally posted by K®o©K:

I have no idea for trucks but I sure have heard cars starting on traffic lights turning green, although I have no idea if it was done manually or automatically (I don't follow car stuff enough to know if such technology exist). I personally wouldn't do it neither in the game or in real life.

As others already said, the fuel economy is likely pretty minimal. I'm not a mechanic guy either but I wouldn't be surprised that stopping and starting the truck/car at every red light would put more strain on the starter and possibly the battery, forcing us to replace them prematurely, which would pretty much nullify the fuel/gas economy.

actually there a some cars that do that if you are standing and you take out the gear they turn off...at least in europe we have these not sure about the us

[Happy Toasti]

Originally posted by ubitmoosie:

I keep mine running, if I am doing a cargo pickup with my own trailer I'll shut it down before loading. Not sure if it makes a difference, I do it to be realistic. In real life, im pretty sure alot of states have anti-idling laws which you can get a heavy fine for idling for more than (i think) 5 minutes. Its mainly for loading/unloading to prevent unnecessary idling and polution I think.

Thank you and all the others for your answers

[LarryA]

Originally posted by Sandhill:

[quote=LarryA;2261313417705698427
5. Number of other reasons to many to list.

Sorry for the miss spelled words.
Have A Great Day

Perhaps also that a large percentage of engine wear occurs during the first second or two of start up...wear wise you might idle for many hours to cause the same wear as one start up, and rebuilds do cost money... [/quote]

Correct sir. Engine gasket kit for a 1693 T or TA cost 1500.00. With a good crank shaft. Pistons, Liners rods, Vavles spray nozels etc not counting down tiime or man hours looking at in the 80s 14,000.00 US dollars. Add a new crankshaft 5000.00 dollars +. .

[Reese]

Originally posted by CabaLJB:

Originally posted by K®o©K:

I have no idea for trucks but I sure have heard cars starting on traffic lights turning green, although I have no idea if it was done manually or automatically (I don't follow car stuff enough to know if such technology exist). I personally wouldn't do it neither in the game or in real life.

As others already said, the fuel economy is likely pretty minimal. I'm not a mechanic guy either but I wouldn't be surprised that stopping and starting the truck/car at every red light would put more strain on the starter and possibly the battery, forcing us to replace them prematurely, which would pretty much nullify the fuel/gas economy.

actually there a some cars that do that if you are standing and you take out the gear they turn off...at least in europe we have these not sure about the us

There are some vehicles in the US that also shut off when stopped. I've heard quite a few cars do it, but I don't think any American cars do it. They're all imports(Nissan, Hyundai, Mercedes, BMW, etc).

[Ryu]

The cars I've seen do this are hybrids.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by ~{DCMT}~ Ryu:

The cars I've seen do this are hybrids.

I had a loaner Mini Cooper from the dealer that did it, pure gas, just a way to shine in emission testing. Disconcerting for sure.

[pieperjohanns]

Newly bought cars in Europe are automatically turning off their engine since a few years if you switch into neutral and release the clutch, for example at traffic lights (pressing the clutch again will restart the engine). Trucks don't do this.