Helping you get better gas mileage, save money on fuel, find more efficient cars, and be kinder to the environment.

It’s an old question: “If I’m only going to be out of the car for a couple of minutes will I get the best gas mileage by leaving the car running or shutting it off and starting it again when I get back?”

To get the best gas mileage, turn your car off if you’ll be gone more than 30 seconds to a minute.

Years ago you would get the best gas mileage by leaving your car running if you were going to be gone for a few minutes. This was because cars used carburetors and restarting a car consumed more gas than leaving it running for a few minutes. There was also the issue of wear and stress on the engine from “cranking” it to restart it.

But today’s cars are fuel injected and they start within a second or two of turning the key so there’s no extended “cranking” period. Additionally, the metals used in car engines are stronger and the lubrication systems are much more effective than they were even just a couple of decades ago.

So turn your car off to get the best gas mileage and be kinder to the environment if you’ll be out of the car for more than 30 seconds. Besides, you’re more likely to find your car where you left it if you turn it off and lock it when you leave for a minute or two.

Posted by Administrator on Tuesday, November 15th, 2005 at 11:23 pm.