Idle-Free Zone

Focus on Unnecessary Vehicle Idling 


EarthCare Minute - Winter Idling

Vehicle exhaust emissions are a leading cause of air pollution, and idling worsens the problem significantly. Idling is not only a waste of fuel and money in Canada, it’s also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. 

Eliminating unnecessary idling is a no-cost action motorists can take to help mitigate this environmental problem. By avoiding idling their cars for just three minutes each day of the year, Canadians could prevent more than 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and other toxic substances from entering the atmosphere each year.

While CO2 emissions from vehicles are unavoidable, emissions from idling vehicles are completely unnecessary and can be easily prevented....with the turn of a key.

For more information visit Natural Resources Canada's Idle-Free Zone website.

Idling Control for Diesel Engines


EarthCare Minute - Idling Fleets

Unnecessary idling includes keeping your car running while going into a store, waiting to pick someone up or stopping to talk on a cell phone. What about businesses with large diesel engines? Some EarthCare Sudbury Partners have adopted Idling Reduction Policies for their fleets with larger diesel engines. Diesel engines may have different requirements than gasoline engines, but unnecessary idling still pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear.

What can my company do? A good idling control policy should educate operators on the economic, social and environmental costs of unnecessary idling of diesel engines. Visit Natural Resources Canada : Office of Energy Efficiency Fleet Smart Program.

Idle-Free Zone Decals & Signs


EarthCare Minute - Idle-Free Zone

'For Our Air' Decals

Place a decal on your home and workplace vehicles to show your support for being Idle Free and remind drivers to turn off the engine when parked. Contact EarthCare Sudbury to receive your decals.

 

Request an 'Idle-Free Zone' Sign for Your Business

Make your business one of over 125 locations in Greater Sudbury helping to cut air pollution. Contact EarthCare Sudbury to receive your 'Idle-Free Zone' sign.

Unnecessary idling wastes money and fuel, and produces greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change. If a vehicle is going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds, except in traffic, the engine should be turned off. 

Idling: Myths vs. Facts

Myth:
Idling is good for your vehicle because it warms up the engine prior to driving.

Fact:
Idling can actually be hard on the engine because fuel combustion is incomplete and some fuel residues condense on cylinder walls. 

Myth:
Idling is necessary on cold winter days that do not exceed minus 30 degrees Celsius to ensure that all of the vehicle's components are warm.

Fact:
Many components of the vehicle including the wheel bearings, tires and suspension system will warm up only when the vehicle is moving. No more than 30 seconds of idling is needed to get the oil circulating through the engine. Only approximately 3 minutes is necessary is extremely cold weather.