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Man, some people think that the world owes them rock star parking. They drive around the front of parking lots like Captain Ahab chasing after that white whale of his. These rabid parkers will go so far as to wait for someone to pull out in order to get a good spot. But why? There are usually plenty of empty spaces at the back of the parking lot. This practice of parking isn't good for the environment. I'll tell you why.
An idling car is a wasteful car. You are essentially getting 0 miles to the gallon when you idle. A car that's on idle for two minutes wastes a mile's worth of gas. Technically, you're not really idling if you are slowly creeping around the parking lot, but you're not getting really good gas mileage either.
A car shouldn't idle for more than ten seconds. I've driven around parking lots. It's slow going, and in this busy shopping season the traffic is bumper-to-bumper. If you spend much time at the front of a crowded parking lot looking for the Shangri-La of spaces, your car will idle for more than ten seconds. I guarantee it.
Driving to the open spaces near the back will reduce gas consumption, carbon emissions and it will give you a little extra exercise. There's nothing wrong with that.
More on Fuel Efficiency:
Top Fuel Efficiency Do It Yourself Hacks, Part I
Minimize Fuel Consumption in Wintry Weather
Tested: 6 Presumed Gas Mileage Savers
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