Joined
·
1,145 Posts
Had a layover in near zero indiana last night. A good time to do a real experiment.
In 11.33 hours of idling (all of it at 1100rpm, out of my control, i used 6.127 gallons which means a rate of .5422 gallons per hour.
I tried to be as scientific as i could, filling up at the exact same pump and only driving across the parking lot. Those uconnect 5.0 naysayers will be happy to learn that the trip computers feature a travel time timer, which runs when idling and is how i timed all of this.
I feel 1/2 gallon per hour is kinda high. Ill run this test again in the summer, but its possible the a/c will dictate a high idle and negate any savings.
Seems to me that a gas fired heater would consume WAY less than .5gph. A small generator would probably consume less too. Maybe the answer is a genset strapped to the roof or bumper.
I will also add that ive been researching it, and i find zero evidence that extended idling is harmful to the engine (gas only). Provided it can keep cool, and the exhaust doesnt set fire to the ground below you, the engine doesnt mind idling.
In 11.33 hours of idling (all of it at 1100rpm, out of my control, i used 6.127 gallons which means a rate of .5422 gallons per hour.
I tried to be as scientific as i could, filling up at the exact same pump and only driving across the parking lot. Those uconnect 5.0 naysayers will be happy to learn that the trip computers feature a travel time timer, which runs when idling and is how i timed all of this.
I feel 1/2 gallon per hour is kinda high. Ill run this test again in the summer, but its possible the a/c will dictate a high idle and negate any savings.
Seems to me that a gas fired heater would consume WAY less than .5gph. A small generator would probably consume less too. Maybe the answer is a genset strapped to the roof or bumper.
I will also add that ive been researching it, and i find zero evidence that extended idling is harmful to the engine (gas only). Provided it can keep cool, and the exhaust doesnt set fire to the ground below you, the engine doesnt mind idling.