New owner that is confused!

[mryaris]

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

I don't shut the engine off at the light because it actually burns more fuel at start-up along with stressing the starter. Not worth it

That depends on how long the light is or how long you are stopped. If it is more than a minute then it saves gas to turn off the car. The stresses on the starter are miniscule, at best.

I generally don't shut off the car at a light because if you let your mind wander too long you forget it's not running and have to hurry up and start the car before anyone honks.

I do, however, turn it off when I'm sitting in the drive-thru or when I'm stuck at a RR crossing.

[SilverBack]

Originally Posted by mryaris

That depends on how long the light is or how long you are stopped. If it is more than a minute then it saves gas to turn off the car. The stresses on the starter are miniscule, at best.

I generally don't shut off the car at a light because if you let your mind wander too long you forget it's not running and have to hurry up and start the car before anyone honks.

I do, however, turn it off when I'm sitting in the drive-thru or when I'm stuck at a RR crossing.

Our red lights usually last less than 30 secs, so it's not really a problem here. But what you and Kaotic are saying does make sense for those long waits, especially at railroad crossings