What happens to your fuel consumption when you restart your engine rather than letting it idle?

When you restart your engine instead of allowing it to idle, your fuel consumption decreases. Idling consumes fuel without moving the vehicle, leading to unnecessary waste. Modern engines are designed to use less fuel during a restart compared to the amount of fuel consumed while idling for extended periods.

By turning off your engine, you save fuel that would otherwise be used while stationary, particularly in situations like waiting at stoplights, in traffic, or when parked. This practice not only helps improve fuel efficiency but also reduces emissions, contributing to a healthier environment.

The other options suggest that fuel consumption either increases or remains the same, which does not accurately reflect the benefits of shutting off the engine during prolonged stops. Different vehicle types may have variations in how much fuel they use during idling versus restarting, but generally, the trend is towards fuel savings when restarting the engine rather than idling.