why do cops let their car idle all day?

diddiyo · 10-05-2009, 06:51 PM

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

68 Z/28 · 10-05-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway?

same goes for truck drivers by the way.

Can't answer for the cops , but for the trucks 90% of why theirs are running is because it is also their home while on the road and when they are sitting idle they need to be comfortable , how would you like to sit in your home in the middle of summer with no air or winter with no heat

lee · 10-05-2009, 07:13 PM

i think the cops do it becuase our taxes pay for the gas and they arnt worried about conserving gas they just want to be confortable when they get in the car , but if you do it they can right you a ticket for it i have been told, weird how that works

diddiyo · 10-05-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 Z/28

but for the trucks 90% of why theirs are running is because it is also their home while on the road and when they are sitting idle they need to be comfortable , how would you like to sit in your home in the middle of summer with no air or winter with no heat

that sure makes sense. however i work with truckers from time to time, and even when they're not in their trucks they let the engine idle.

maybe it's a "well i'm not paying for it and i'm too lazy to turn off the engine"-kinda attitude

(*edit* lee was faster

)

1320junkie · 10-05-2009, 07:16 PM

I think it has more to do with all of the electronics that are in the car and operating....that stuff just cant operate with the car off without starting to kill the battery before to long

68 Z/28 · 10-05-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

that sure makes sense. however i work with truckers from time to time, and even when they're not in their trucks they let the engine idle.

maybe it's a "well i'm not paying for it and i'm too lazy to turn off the engine"-kinda attitude

(*edit* lee was faster

)

Can't answer for them , but I never let mine run when I was not in it , when I was driving , was against company policy as well

rodimus prime · 10-05-2009, 07:21 PM

Yeah, lights kill batteries with a quickness, plus it cuts down on response time if you need to boogie out in a hurry. Thats why you always see them backed into parking spots too.

*Milk 1027* · 10-05-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1320junkie

I think it has more to do with all of the electronics that are in the car and operating....that stuff just cant operate with the car off without starting to kill the battery before to long

exactly.
That and it's just faster to get in the car and chase someone when the car is already running

MrGazinya · 10-05-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1320junkie

I think it has more to do with all of the electronics that are in the car and operating....that stuff just cant operate with the car off without starting to kill the battery before to long

Especially if they have their overheads on

lee · 10-05-2009, 07:34 PM

when theres a couple of them sitting in the gas station hanging out, drinking coffee or whatnot their overhead lights arnt on

1320junkie · 10-05-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee

when theres a couple of them sitting in the gas station hanging out, drinking coffee or whatnot their overhead lights arnt on

they have video camera's, radio, computers, radar's and all of that associated equipment that needs to stay on while they are on duty...I just dont think the cars electrical system can keep that stuff powered with the car off

colorado pony · 10-05-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

that sure makes sense. however i work with truckers from time to time, and even when they're not in their trucks they let the engine idle.

maybe it's a "well i'm not paying for it and i'm too lazy to turn off the engine"-kinda attitude

(*edit* lee was faster

)

most of today truck have a idling computer that can be set for temp and low battery limits. the truck can turn itself on or off if the batteries get to low or if the temp inside the cab is outside the set limits. today most states have a five minute idling limit so we use the computer to monitor the temp and batteries( big rig have up to six batteries). still other trucks have APU... which is a small diesel engine that we can get heat, cooling and 12dc and 115 volts to run the truck assy.the different is that the truck engine used about a gallon an hour to idle , but the little two cylinder engine uses only about an 1/8 of gallon an hour

bluch · 10-05-2009, 07:38 PM

i have a work truck and it idles a lot in the summer to have the A/C cranked and in the winter to have the heater cranked. I have a company gas card, so I guess I put my comfort of working in and out of the truck all day ahead of "the environment"

Zabo · 10-05-2009, 07:51 PM

It's also why the new Cappy has a spare battery and a heavy duty Alt (just like the current crown vics and Chargers). They need all the power they can get for all the radios, lights, monitoring equipment, etc. Hence why Ex-pursuit cars are friggin indestructible even at 200K miles. They're built to take it..

10-05-2009, 06:51 PM	#1
diddiyo Drives: . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: . Posts: 3,048	why do cops let their car idle all day? let's say you're at a parade and a cop is standing behind the rail next to his car. it is always running. why do cops let their car run all day even if they have no intention of driving any time soon? wouldn't it save a ton of gas if they'd shut it off since they're not doing anything with it anyway? same goes for truck drivers by the way.

10-05-2009, 07:38 PM	#13
bluch OH CANADA! Drives: 2011 RAM 1500 LARAMIE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 3,930 View My Garage	i have a work truck and it idles a lot in the summer to have the A/C cranked and in the winter to have the heater cranked. I have a company gas card, so I guess I put my comfort of working in and out of the truck all day ahead of "the environment" __________________ Had to trade in the Camaro for a truck :(, but hopefully I can join the Camaro family again one day

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10-05-2009, 07:13 PM	#3
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	i think the cops do it becuase our taxes pay for the gas and they arnt worried about conserving gas they just want to be confortable when they get in the car , but if you do it they can right you a ticket for it i have been told, weird how that works

10-05-2009, 07:16 PM	#5
1320junkie Drives: The Imperial Army Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Darkside Posts: 15,742	I think it has more to do with all of the electronics that are in the car and operating....that stuff just cant operate with the car off without starting to kill the battery before to long

10-05-2009, 07:21 PM	#7
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	Yeah, lights kill batteries with a quickness, plus it cuts down on response time if you need to boogie out in a hurry. Thats why you always see them backed into parking spots too.

10-05-2009, 07:34 PM	#10
lee Drives: 2010 2ss/rs Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 1,016	when theres a couple of them sitting in the gas station hanging out, drinking coffee or whatnot their overhead lights arnt on

10-05-2009, 07:51 PM	#14
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	It's also why the new Cappy has a spare battery and a heavy duty Alt (just like the current crown vics and Chargers). They need all the power they can get for all the radios, lights, monitoring equipment, etc. Hence why Ex-pursuit cars are friggin indestructible even at 200K miles. They're built to take it..