How does restarting a vehicle compare to letting it idle for one minute?

Restarting a vehicle is generally considered more fuel-efficient compared to letting it idle for extended periods. When a vehicle is idling, the engine continues to consume fuel without producing any useful power, which can lead to unnecessary gas consumption. In fact, modern engines are designed to use less fuel during a restart than they would while idling for about 10 seconds or more.

Additionally, allowing the engine to idle can lead to more pollution and waste of fuel, while restarting the vehicle provides an opportunity to reduce both emissions and fuel usage. By restarting instead of idling, drivers can minimize their fuel consumption, making it a more environmentally friendly option as well.

While some may believe that idling helps to warm up the engine or is better for its overall health, modern vehicles are typically designed to operate efficiently soon after starting, and extended idling can contribute to engine wear over time.