Gas usage during idling

[RichZ]

I did a dumb thing earlier this week. I've been recovering from surgery, and haven't been driving my Ford Explorer. Every week I let it idle for about 10 minutes, to keep the battery charged and everything flowing. The last time I did that, I forgot all about it for about 4 - 5 hours. When I suddenly realized that I had left it idling, I ran out of my house expecting it to have used up it's gas, but the gauge showed it used less than 1/4 of a tank. Is that possible, or is my gas gauge stuck? I really never thought about how much gas a car uses during idling, but I thought it had to be more than that.

Thanks!!

 

[MillWeld]

An idling vehicle does not use much gas as you have shown. Extended idle periods would be a challenge for the cooling system so have someone take you for a test drive in the vehicle while you are recovering from the surgery.
Bob

 

[Iowachild]

My calculations show gas "mileage" at idle to be zero!:laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not comparing apples to apples here but my neighbor just did a test of his 2007 Dmax. It used .7gals or about 2/3 gallon in 1 hour of idling. Yes, diesels don't use much but it adds up.

Chris

 

[bp fick]

Ever need to fix or replace a gas tank? Gauge says it is on E, so idle the rest, right? 4 hours later.......... still running.

 

[clemsonfor]

I did a dumb thing earlier this week. I've been recovering from surgery, and haven't been driving my Ford Explorer. Every week I let it idle for about 10 minutes, to keep the battery charged and everything flowing. The last time I did that, I forgot all about it for about 4 - 5 hours. When I suddenly realized that I had left it idling, I ran out of my house expecting it to have used up it's gas, but the gauge showed it used less than 1/4 of a tank. Is that possible, or is my gas gauge stuck? I really never thought about how much gas a car uses during idling, but I thought it had to be more than that.

Thanks!!

I have heard from 1/4-1/2 gallon/hr. So not much. I would not go start it every week unless you have an old week battery or a small drain. Biweekly is overkill and once a month is prolly fine!

I know, i have had multiple vehicles for years now. Currently we have 4 between my wife and i, sometimes its months till i start the farm truck. Like now its currently in my uncles yard 1 mile from my farm sitting there with the tandem trailer and has been there for 6 weeks i guess? NOw i cursed myself and when i go to move it next my battery will be dead!!

 

[clemsonfor]

Ever need to fix or replace a gas tank? Gauge says it is on E, so idle the rest, right? 4 hours later.......... still running.

seems about right, they say E with 2-3 gallons in them, at .5/hour thats 2 gallons for 4 hours of run time!

 

[Highbeam]

Fords are notorious for their fuel gauges hanging out in the top half for a long time and then the last half quickly going away. So the gauge stays on full much longer than it should.

2/3 gallon per hour for idling a diesel is far too high. Either the measuring method sucked or something is wrong with that engine. I expect half that.

 

[clemsonfor]

Fords are notorious for their fuel gauges hanging out in the top half for a long time and then the last half quickly going away. So the gauge stays on full much longer than it should.

2/3 gallon per hour for idling a diesel is far too high. Either the measuring method sucked or something is wrong with that engine. I expect half that.

I was thinking something similar, as i have had loggers tell me that their big cat deisels only use around 1gal/hour when i asked about them just leaving them running while not using them and doing something else.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Fords are notorious for their fuel gauges hanging out in the top half for a long time and then the last half quickly going away. So the gauge stays on full much longer than it should.

2/3 gallon per hour for idling a diesel is far too high. Either the measuring method sucked or something is wrong with that engine. I expect half that.

He uses a chip/monitor system that is dead accurate. He logs every bit of his fuel since he is self employed. The DIC on the GM trucks is also very accurate.

I set in it with him just the other day waiting on his daughter to get done with Volleyball. We sat for 40 minutes with the AC on and it too .4 gals.

I seriously doubt a big CAT only uses 1 gal per hour. My 28HP tractor uses 2/3 gal per hour average. My F-350 gets 17mpg average so at its average speed of 36 mph for its life that is 2 gals per hour give or take.


Chris

 

[pilot-werx]

I have a Volvo VT 880 with a 625hp d16 engine that Burns about 1.25 gallons an hour at high idle powering a fridge, microwave, and TV. I doubt your gas engine at idle is nearly close to that.

If anyone is looking for the ultimate haul truck I have another for sale!

 

[slowzuki]

Actually gas engines use a lot more fuel to idle than a diesel for similar size engine.

 

[schoolsout]

I think the large tractors (trucks with sleepers) idle and burn about 1gph...that's a 3-400hp diesel.

 

[schoolsout]

I have a Volvo VT 880 with a 625hp d16 engine that Burns about 1.25 gallons an hour at high idle powering a fridge, microwave, and TV. I doubt your gas engine at idle is nearly close to that.

If anyone is looking for the ultimate haul truck I have another for sale!

Didn't read your post before I posted, but that sounds about right. How do you like the 880? We are a Mack/Volvo/Isuzu dealer

 

[clemsonfor]

I think the large tractors (trucks with sleepers) idle and burn about 1gph...that's a 3-400hp diesel.

And some of those have the big Cat Deisels im talking about.

 

[ModMech]

I think the large tractors (trucks with sleepers) idle and burn about 1gph...that's a 3-400hp diesel.

1 GPH would be on the LOW end and most are 1.3 GPH to 3.0 GPH. It depends a LOT on the loads on the engine, when the fan is on it can double the GPH, high alternator loads (household loads) can add an easy 0.5 GPH.

The fuel tanks are so large (200+ gallons) and the idle periods so short (< 10 hrs) it is almost impossible to know that the GPH is unless you have an electronic engine that keeps track of it. The measurement error in simply filling the tank can double or half the GPH from actual.

 

[pilot-werx]

Didn't read your post before I posted, but that sounds about right. How do you like the 880? We are a Mack/Volvo/Isuzu dealer

I love the 880, but if I did not have a Volvo mechanic that works for me I would most likely not own one. I have two 550 hp trucks and one 625 hp truck. All of mine are pre-emissions which helps. We have dealt with the injector issues and turbo issues and since then we have not touched them. I ended up selling my peterbilts and western stars after buying my first 880 as there was no comparison.....

 

[rekees4300]

Ever notice that UPS drivers turn off their trucks for every delivery. Guess some genius has figured out they save more on gas that way than they spend to replace starters? :confused3:

 

[ModMech]

Ever notice that UPS drivers turn off their trucks for every delivery. Guess some genius has figured out they save more on gas that way than they spend to replace starters? :confused3:

UPS had that figured out in the late 60's.......

 

[Highbeam]

Or they got tired of people stealing their trucks. Liability risk is worth much more than fuel.