Ignition key

[BPaulsen]

All the new "idle laws" that are now (thankfully) being implemented in many States aside, if there's one really good way to p*ss people off, give diesel drivers a bad reputation, show the world that you don't give a rat's *** about the air we and our children breathe, or noise, or smoke, or fuel consumption, or or anything or anybody else . . . it's letting your stinking rattle box run while you're getting coffee or taking a leak.

That's exactly what we don't need. Take it from a guy who loves diesels and owns 4 diesel-powered automobiles.

 

[sdstriper]

All the new "idle laws" that are now (thankfully) being implemented in many States aside, if there's one really good way to p*ss people off, give diesel drivers a bad reputation, show the world that you don't give a rat's *** about the air we and our children breathe, or noise, or smoke, or fuel consumption, or or anything or anybody else . . . it's letting your stinking rattle box run while you're getting coffee or taking a leak.

That's exactly what we don't need. Take it from a guy who loves diesels and owns 4 diesel-powered automobiles.

You ever lived in a not so Rosy climate there Paulsen? I don't give a rat's *** what the legislation is when it is sub-zero temperatures outside, I am preheating my vehicles. Not every American is conveniently positioned financially to cater to the Greenies, or every man, women and child on this planet. As far as the simple plug it in or whatever, I have to park in the street, If I have to run a cord over the sidewalk to keep you from complaining about my running truck in the morning are you going to take responsibility for someone tripping over the cord? Because I can guarantee you someone will, and in todays society you'll wind up in court over the deal. As far as I am concerned I am doing the environment a favor by driving a truck that get's 20 MPG. Compared to my last rig that got 4 MPG uphill or down... Now as far as leaving a rig running to run in the house and take a leak, I won't argue with you on that one.

 

[Sri Ram]

I am loving this discussion of ignition keys, etc… :-laf



As for idling, I agree with you SD. Cold weather isn't the diesel's best friend. [BEGIN RANT] Also, my "rattle box" is payback for my neighbors' dogs relentless barking and late-night burnouts #@$%! ! Talk about noise and air pollution…how about burning rubber? BPaulsen, as the owner of four fine engines, you know that at idle a diesel engine has an air/fuel ratio of as much as 100:1. At full throttle, even, the diesel is more miserly a gasser at idle. I don't mean to point the finger, but I see diesel engines as part of the solution, not the problem. [END RANT]

 

[Greenleaf]

I 'm not sure what all that means, but if the point is noise pollution, then it's a moot point with the 4 cylinder compacts driving around with a 4" can out the back and H. D. motor bikes with zero or near zero muffler.



If the point was fuel consumption while at idle it's a moot point with diesel locomotives setting track side at idle and our school buses that idle... ... ... ... . and idel and idle. Not to mention power line trucks/construction vehicles/road maint vehicles/telephone lift trucks/tree service trucks, OTR tractors etc. etc. et



I would have to argue that a diesel setting at idle outside the gas station while the driver buys a news print is a bit different than driving through town blowing smoke just because the driver of a diesel thinks it looks cool.



If a diesel setting at idle represents a bad reputation above and beyond everything that diesels represent then I'd have to question how one arrived at this conclusion.



Sounds like a environmental view point and not a diesel owner view point.

 

[Sri Ram]

Uh-oh, am I in the politics forum? How did I get HERE?

 

[TWorline]

... . and yeah, my key comes out while running also.

 

[BPaulsen]

Let me clarify something: if there's a good reason to have the engine running, i. e. to prevent freezing to the seat or steering wheel when hopping in first time in the morning, or when allowing the turbo to cool down after a run on the freeway, I don't have a problem at all.

I only have a problem with clear cut situations where most people and nowadays even the legislator have a problem: with guys (and school bus drivers are among the worst!) who have their truck running for no other reason but the ancient belief that shutting the engine down for even a few minutes would harm it. So they let it run and run all day long, right in front of the local Starbucks or restaurant where people are sitting outside, having coffee or lunch or whatever, and everyone in close vicinity is annoyed and curses those "stinkin" Diesels.

As long as we do everything in our power to get people upset about Diesels, we do OURSELVES a huge disfavor.



P. S.

I also think that the "open pipes save lives" crowd only helps people and finally legislators to get so p*ssed about the noise that sooner or later a law will come and tell them that "if you really need a law to do what should be common sense . . . here it is!"