Why would it not be good to turn your engine off? I sometimes come across stationary cars with a running engine, and I honestly wonder why anyone does that.
> I sometimes come across stationary cars with a running engine, and I honestly wonder why anyone does that.
As someone who frequents very warm countries, I think most people do it because of the AC. If the engine is not on, the AC won't adjust the temperature that you've selected.
I have a Volvo hybrid where the AC continues running even when the main ICE is off(as long as you have charge in the main battery pack). It's honestly fantastic.
Hybrid (or PEV/BEV) car's electric A/C is heavily underrated feature compared to pure ICE cars. Idling engine only for A/C seems to really inefficient. I think every police cars should be at least hybrid, but still not here.
Toyota Hybrids do this too and it’s an incredible experience to sit in a parking lot blasting full efficiency AC with the engine off. I’ve heard of people camping overnight in their Priuses this way with minimal engine use.
As a general rule, most machines break during state changes like start/stop. Keeping an engine running means no piece is subjected to the extra acceleration of restarting and your starter isn't used.
If you grew up poor a few decades ago, you probably saw your parents begin every journey praying the car would start. Because loads of vehicle faults manifest as failing to start - flat battery, spark plug problems, cold weather, no fuel.
Starting the engine is a stressful experience if you're used to vehicles where sometimes the engine won't start. Especially if you're at the front of a queue of traffic.
As someone who frequents very warm countries, I think most people do it because of the AC. If the engine is not on, the AC won't adjust the temperature that you've selected.