Turn It Off

Turn It Off. Reduce idling to save money and keep FLG healthy.

Join us in our effort to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling in Flagstaff.

Take our pledge to pick one location that you normally idle and Turn it Off.

Turning off your engine saves money, and keeps Flagstaff's air clean.

What is Idling & Where Does it Occur?

  • Idling happens when you leave your engine running while parked. Sometimes idling is necessary, but many times it is not.
  • According to a survey of Flagstaff residents, the most common places we idle are at train crossings, in drive-through lines, and in parking lots.

Why Turn Off Your Car Engine?

  • Idling your engine for more than 10 seconds wastes more fuel than turning the engine off and on again. Americans waste $13 million every day on unnecessary idling.
  • Idling is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, and heart disease. Kids are especially vulnerable because they inhale more air per pound of body weight.
  • Worried about damaging your engine? Today's vehicles warm up more efficiently when they're driving than sitting in the driveway.
  • Idling can actually damage engine components (but it is always a best practice to check your owner's manual). According to the California Energy Commission, "Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature. This leads to build up of fuel residues on cylinder walls that can damage engine components and increase fuel consumption."

Questions?

Have more questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

Pledge to Turn It Off

Pick a location where you normally idle, and pledge to turn off your engine when stopped there for an extended period of time.

Pledge-takers will be entered into a biweekly raffle for prizes.

Why Idling?

The Sustainability Section recently received a grant from the Urban Sustainability Director's Network to promote sustainable behavior change. The section is utilizing these funds to communicate the benefits of reduced idling to residents this fall.

This campaign is part of the Sustainability Section's ongoing efforts to help residents save money, reduce environmental impacts and make Flagstaff a healthier place to live.

Idling is a behavior with little benefit. Turning it off is convenient and easy to do, saves residents money, and allows people to choose a way to implement it that fits best with their lives.

Have Questions or Want to Learn More?

Email Sustainability or call 928-213-2150.

Pledge to Turn It Off. Click Here.