Unnecessary school bus idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. Fortunately, it's easy to implement practices that reduce school bus idling.

Save Money and Reduce Pollution

• Air Pollution
  Idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus. Exhaust from buses can also enter school buildings through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Diesel bus exhaust from excessive idling can be a health concern. Read more about health concerns.
• Wasted Fuel and Money
  Idling buses waste fuel and money. When idling, a typical school bus engine burns approximately half a gallon of fuel per hour. School districts that eliminate unnecessary idling can save significant dollars in fuel costs each year. Try the idling calculator to estimate the fuel saved by reducing idling in your school bus fleet.
• Engine Wear-and-Tear
  School bus engines do not need to idle more than a few minutes to warm up. In fact extended idling causes engine damage. Engine manufacturers generally recommend no more than three to five minutes of idling.
  • Caterpillar Inc. cautions drivers to "... Avoid excess idling. If the vehicle is parked for more than five minutes, stop the engine. Excessive idling can cause carbon buildup and/or excessive idling can cause the engine to slobber. This is harmful to the engine."
  • IC Corporation's engine manual states that "...Excessive idling reduces fuel economy, and may decrease oil life."
  • Cummins Inc. suggests idling for only three to five minutes before operating with a load.