Green Space
Idle No More

Did you know it is illegal in Rye to idle your car or truck for more than 3 minutes?

Idling is Unnecessary

Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. In fact, idling burns gas almost twice as fast as driving. The best way to warm up your car is to drive it. You can stay warm in the school pick-up line on a winter day if you wear a coat and gloves, and keep cool when it is warm by opening your windows or parking and getting out into the breeze.

Idling Promotes Climate Change

An idling car emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour, and double the amount of toxic emissions per second than a moving vehicle. Every gallon of gasoline wasted on idling produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas behind climate change. It is estimated that idling with the air conditioner running increases the emissions by 13%.

Idling Harms People

Vehicle exhaust contains many hazardous pollutants, and research shows a direct link between contaminants in exhaust and respiratory health. Because children breathe much more air per pound of body weight than grown-ups and their respiratory defenses are not fully developed, idling is even more dangerous to them.

Idling Damages Your Engine

Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature. Because the fuel doesn’t burn completely, it leaves behind residue that contaminates engine parts and corrodes the vehicle’s exhaust system.
Kick the idling habit and help others to, as well. We will all breathe cleaner air.

— The Rye Garden Club Conservation Committee