Turning engine off at stop lights? Good idea - or a bad one?

[concoran]

Hi There,
I have a 2001 325i stick shift. In some major intersections, the light is read for almost 2 minutes. Is it a good idea to turn the engine off in the meantime? I usually do - though not sure if that is a good idea.
Any opinions on that? Does it hurt the car to shutdown/restart within a small gap?

 

[Big Daddy]

Not a good idea, It will cost more in gas to restart the car than to idle for two minutes, not to mention that most all damage to an engine is done at start up (granted may not be too bad for a warm car), however you are causing stress and wear on the starting system, etc. Leave it running.

 

[Tom]

I agree, with BigDaddy.

 

[B M W]

Ditto on what Big Daddy said. Starting a car is what takes the biggest toll on your engines life. I dont mean it to say that you try and never turn off your car, but doing it at long red lights everyday will defintely start cutting into your engines life expectancy.

 

[Kirby]

I would expect that over a long period of time (daily for a few years), it could affect the battery and alternator. Heat is the enemy of batteries and alternators. The frequent restarting will certainly cause additional heating in the battery and alternator. Combined with So Cal ambient temperatures in the summer and existing A/C load on the alternator and battery at idle, it would likely shorten battery and alternator life.

 

[concoran]

Thanks for all the replies, folks.
More wiser today

 

[320de46m47]

tend to agree with big daddy in terms of saving your car...but in terms of saving the environment you have to turn it off. here in northern italy you are forced to at long delay lights

 

[sharkman330Xi]

tend to agree with big daddy in terms of saving your car...but in terms of saving the environment you have to turn it off. here in northern italy you are forced to at long delay lights

that makes sense...
if you are adding one extra start to your car per day, it is not the end of the world!
people in big cities who breathe smog would appreciate it! How long does the engine have to be off, for it to be worth restarting?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I'd only say it's worth the trade off if you're stuck on the highway/road and there is a huge lock-up which is not moving (and you can anticipate this) for at least 5 minutes or potentially more. Otherwise (for minute long redlights) leave it running as stated before.

Also firing up the engine uses a lot more gas than letting it idle for a minute or two, so you're not saving the environment and if we factor in the fuel and energy used to create and transport the part which gets worn out from the frequent startups... I think you get the point, it only truly pays to be a SMART environmentalist.

 

[kornkid8600]

put ur car in neutral pull up your handbrake and you can let go of your brake pedal.

 

[William330]

I thought only old ladies did this.