New laws and restrictions regarding idling

[Crunch]

Last night I was listening to a trucking show on the radio and they mentioned that new idling restrictions go into effect in New York. The new law limits idling to 3 minutes in NYC and 5 minutes in the rest of the state.



That raised a question in my head as to what constitutes idling? Is it the engine RPM when the throttle is not opened, or is there a range of RPM that is considered to be idling? Would it be defined as any engine RPM when the vehicle is not moving? And does it affect all diesels, or just the commercial tractors? I live in Texas and don't see an immediate impact on me, but I could see this spreading across the country.

 

[KCJackson]

Since I also follow the bus industry, they have been dealing with these restrictions for a while (charter buses at attractions, rest stops, etc. ). Idling is not used to describe the specific rpm state of the engine in this instance. Instead, it refers to a vehicle whose engine is running but otherwise, the vehicle is in a steady "parked" state. As I understand it, this does not apply to traffic or waiting lines like bank or fast-food drive-throgh operations.



Essentially, if you are parked at a curb or parking lot space, you have to either put it in a motion gear and proceed somewhere or shut it down within the allotted time, or you are subject to a summons.

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by KCJackson

Essentially, if you are parked at a curb or parking lot space, you have to either put it in a motion gear and proceed somewhere or shut it down within the allotted time, or you are subject to a summons.

That sucks. It means those restrictions will probably work their way into Texas in the near future. Do you know what the minimum down time is before you can fire it up again?

 

[bighammer]

I'm sorry, but I think it's a good idea. Idling isn't good for your engine or the environment. To cut smog levels in big cities people in Switzerland are encouraged to cut off the engine at stoplights, in traffic jams, etc. (I didn't ask if there are fines for non-compliance)



Flip side, we have trucks that idle all night or even days on end. The cable guy was here and left his van (gasser) running for over an hour. Not for heat or AC (no temp extreme) but just for the heck of it. You see it everywhere--People leave their engines on all the time for no good reason.



OK, flame away

 

[JWaters]

It is worst on a Diesel to start and shut down and start again. You save wear by letting it idle.

 

[WadePatton]

Was that on "Truckin Bozo"? I found that show the other night near the end of a 600 mile day--seemed very appropriate.



Learned a lot about Cummins and the "new" ECM programming and such. Junkyards with old, original ECM's have gold on their hands.

 

[SilverFox]

I don't think us Texans have much to worry about on the idling issue for a very long time. If the legislature should pass an idling law it would probably be rescinded the next year just like the motor cycle helmet law was rescinded in the 80's. Crunch, you probably haven't lived in Texas long enough to remember that but the boys in Austin told us we had to start wearing helmets when we were just cruising around the block on our bikes. It made us so mad they changed the law very quickly. That's why you still see the Harley guys riding around the streets or Ft. Worth with no helmet today.



Personally, I wore a helmet right up until I sold my '85 Ninja in 1990. Heck when I was a boy I wore a leather helmet when riding my '41 Indian Chief.



I also agree with bighammer about idling. It's not good for the engine so why do it. One thing is for certain, I don't want the government telling this boy when to idle and when not to idle.

 

[Ladders]

If the locals start to enact a law for idling, at least make sure there are temp ranges included. This at least will give some guidance for the idling (till its fought down).



It came up about a couple of months ago on the truckers channel (XM). And some of the callers would agree if temps would have been specified (at least till the fighting gets it repealed - gud luk in some states due to emissions). I like a little warmth when taking a nap at 0* or so ... .



just MY opinion and flame suit is on



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[WadePatton]

Truckin Bozo is on 710AM out of Ohio. I have no problem hearing it in TN after dark. Big AM stations go "nationwide" after dark via atomspheric propagation. Most people have forgotten this. TRY it. 650 out of Nashville is a good one. Most cars come with AM radios NoExtryCharge.

 

[nickleinonen]

Most cars come with AM radios NoExtryCharge

AM what is this??? :-laf i haven't tuned into an am radio station in my truck ever, and the last time i tried listening to am was when the blackout hit, wanted to hear what was happening, but my pos radio at work didn't pick it up, so back to fm i went...

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by bighammer

I'm sorry, but I think it's a good idea. Idling isn't good for your engine or the environment. To cut smog levels in big cities people in Switzerland are encouraged to cut off the engine at stoplights, in traffic jams, etc. (I didn't ask if there are fines for non-compliance)

<snip>

OK, flame away

No desire to flame you, and I don't let my engine idle very long all that often. I just don't like that there is now a trend to pass laws regarding this--like California trying to outlaw backyard BBQs. For every concern, good or bad there is some law we have to worry about. It's gotten to the point where I don't even think about whether or not I am breaking the law. I tend to live the way my parents raised me, and if I end up breaking a law and getting caught I'll pay the fine and consider it the cost of doing business. I've viewed speeding tickets that way for years, now I am applying it to all the other laws. I doubt that anything I do would land me in jail for more than a day or two anyway.

 

[Whiskey]

I drove Tractor Trailer for 30 years, in upstate NY.

NY has always had a a 5 minute idling law for as long as I can remember, but rarely enforced it,







Whiskey

 

[WadePatton]

I have a dog.

Can't leave him in the truck without it running for A/C in the summertime and heat in the winter.



Our cars put out less crap in a week than most manufacturing facilities pour out in a few minutes.

 

[$BANKS$rupted]

I saw or read where they are looking at technology to automatically kill the engine when a car comes to a stop (like a gas powered golf cart) and then restart when you touch the gas

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by $BANKS$rupted

I saw or read where they are looking at technology to automatically kill the engine when a car comes to a stop (like a gas powered golf cart) and then restart when you touch the gas

That would really suck. It already takes too long for half the people sitting at a red light to move their foot from the brake to the accelerator and get moving. If we have to wait for the engine to start and get up to speed, even fewer people will make it through the green light, traffic will clog up and it will be more likely that some idiot will rear end my shiney truck.



The day that happens will be the day I install hydraulic lifts on my truck so I can keep the wheels spinning and the engine on. That or keep the accelerator depressed with the brake on.

 

[bkaiser]

The auto-shutdown stuff you're taliking about is available in Europe. Volkswagen has a cool little car called the Lupo. It's smaller than a Golf and if you order it the right way, it comes with aluminum body panels, a small diesel and a five speed. It shuts the engine down when the car is stopped and your foot is off the clutch. Touch the clutch, put it in gear, and the engine restarts. It's meant for use in congested cities and gets about 60 MPG!

 

[rholcom2]

Thats pretty cool about the VW. I am thinking of getting VW Jetta to drive back and forth to work. How long before Dodge/Cummins starts this? Probably forever, but that is pretty cool.