Outdoor Air

Winter or summer – don’t idle

Reducing unnecessary idling will cut pollutants, improve air quality and the health of our residents. Instead of idling:

• Use a block heater. You don’t need to plug the block heater in all night. Set it on a timer for two hours before you drive away.
• In the winter warm up your car by driving it. Computer-controlled and fuel-injected engines are designed to warm up quickly as you drive.
• Turn the car off if you are going to be idle for more than 60 sec­onds. Turning your car on and off is not hard on your engine and doesn’t use more gas.
• Avoid using drive-throughs. Park, turn off your car and walk inside. It’s better for the environment and your body.
• Avoid remote control car starters. They encourage longer idling times.
• Open your windows to stay cool when waiting for someone. It’s better than running the air conditioner, wasting fuel and polluting the air we breathe.

Other ways to improve our air in winter or summer: Keep your tires inflated and the engine properly tuned; use public transit or carpool.

Click here for an Outdoor Air Quality Report for Simcoe Muskoka.