Vehicle idling

Is there an idling control bylaw?

The City of Kelowna is the only Central Okanagan jurisdiction with a one-minute Idling Control Bylaw in place, effective as of July 25, 2022. If you see vehicles idling excessively, you can  Report an Environmental concern- Air Quality. Please provide the license plate or physical address where excess of idling is taking place.

• This bylaw is complaint-based. Education and tips are provided as a first approach.
• When a physical address is provided, residents will receive one warning.  Second and subsequent complaints for the same license plate or address will be forwarded to City of Kelowna Bylaw enforcement officers. Upon investigation of the complaint, fines of $150 for the second and subsequent offence may be issued.

• Applicability

The Idling Control Bylaw No. 12378 general regulation is:

 "An operator or motor vehicle owner must not cause or permit a motor vehicle to idle for more than one minute (60 seconds)."

• The idling Control Bylaw does not apply to zero emissions vehicles and partial-emissions vehicles or those with start-stop technology only while the electric motor/generator assists the gas engine. It also not applies to vehicles when they are in traffic.
• The Idling Control Bylaw applies to vehicles idling while parked in a: parking lot / drop-off zone / street/ driveway/ laneway/ pick-up zone or drive-thru restaurant, etc.

Please review the Idling Control Bylaw No 12378  for more information.

Other local governments in the Central Okanagan don’t have an Idling Control bylaw in place. However, the Air quality program can still send idling awareness letters and educational material to residents in other Central Okanagan local governments (in this case, a physical address is needed).

The Air Quality Program brings awareness about unnecessary idling as one way to tackle Greenhouse Gas Emissions, improve local air quality and the health of residents in the region. With the support of Central Okanagan residents, overtime we can change our behaviour toward idling.

Is there anti-idling information available?

If you would like to support the region's efforts to tackle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and improve local air quality, there are a few things you can do: 

1. Share the Anti-idling awareness card and /or the idling fuel and money estimator with your friends and family. 
2. Request and install RDCO anti-idling branded material in your business/building/residential complex or parking lot. 

Postcards, decals and signage are available for free distribution by completing this form: Anti-Idling Material Request

1.  RDCO Anti-Idling Decals- Recommended for windows, doors, interior walls. No tools are required for installation. Maximum of 10 decals.  
2. RDCO Anti-Idling Signage- (hard material- Aluminum Composite Panel). Recommended for outdoor use, walls, fences, posts etc. Tools are required for installation. Maximum of 5 signs.  
3. RDCO Anti-Idling Awareness cards- Maximum 20 cards.  

Limited materials are available for free distribution per year. This will be on a first come, first served basis depending on availability. The material is free of charge and will be mailed within a few weeks. Requestors are responsible for the installation. 

What should I do instead of idling?

• Turn off your vehicle
• Don't use a remote starter to warm your vehicle; warm it up by driving it
• Instead of using a drive-thru, go inside the building to make your purchase
• If you must use a drive-thru, consider turning off your vehicle during long wait times

What about clearing my windshield during winter?

• Scrape your vehicle's windows and don't rely solely on the defrost/defog function
• Use a brush or scraper to remove ice and snow
• Use a block heater for only two hours when the temperature is below freezing to reduce fuel use (by about 10%), emissions and provide heat for your defroster
• Buy winter (de-icer) washer fluid

Defog your windows faster - try an anti-fog window treatment or follow these steps:

• Heater on full
• A/C on
• Inside air recirculation off
• Open windows slightly

Should I warm up my vehicle during winter?

• Avoid the use of remote starters
• The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it at a moderate speed 30 seconds after starting it
• As a bonus, you save fuel because an efficient operating temperature is reached twice as fast when driving versus letting the vehicle idle
• For the first 5 to 10 minutes, drive your vehicle gently with smooth braking and acceleration to avoid unnecessary stress on the engine
• Keep the RMPs low and don't slam on the brakes
• All of these tips will allow your vehicle to warm up while in motion

What about idling a diesel truck?

Diesel trucks do not need more time to warm up:

• Above 0°C: 10 to 30 seconds of idling to warm up
• Below 0°C: 30 to 60 seconds of idling to warm up

What about idling a light-duty vehicle?

Light-duty vehicles include cars, vans, light trucks and sport utility vehicles. They do not need to idle long to warm up:

• Above 0°C: 10 to 30 seconds of idling to warm up
• Below 0°C: 30 to 60 seconds of idling to warm up

What about heavy-duty vehicles?

Large, heavy-duty vehicles and other large equipment may need to idle longer to be at operational temperature. Follow the vehicle's owner manual and avoid unnecessary idling.

Idling with air conditioning in the summer

If you are waiting in your vehicle, turn off the engine. If it is very warm outside seek more moderate temperatures in a nearby building or in the shade. In hot, sunny conditions, seek a shady parking spot and use windshield or window sun shades. Using reflective windshield sunshades can reduce your interior temperature by 11°C and dashboard temperature by 19°C. Sunshades also help protect your vehicle interior from damaging UV rays.

Idling with the heat on during winter

If you are waiting in your vehicle, turn off your engine. Dress appropriately for the weather. There is no need to have your heat on while idling. Use reversible windshield sunshades during the winter as they can act like a thermal blanket to help keep your car interior warmer.

How do I cut fuel consumption?

• Follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule
• Check the fluid levels at least once a month and top-up accordingly
• Measure your tire pressure at least once a month (tip: set up a reminder on your phone)
• Warm up your vehicle by driving it at a moderate speed
• Use the cruise control
• Avoid speeding
• Use your air conditioner sparingly
• Use a block heater to warm up your vehicle for only two hours in the winter months
• Remove unnecessary weight
• Take off the roof rack
• Make one long trip instead of several short trips
• Walk, cycle, skate, use a scooter, carpool or take public transit whenever you can (commit to this for trips under 2.5 km)
• Adopt fuel-efficient driving habits

What are the most fuel- efficient vehicles?

Fuel economy is key to purchasing a new vehicle. Find and compare cars side-by-side through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

How much fuel and money can you save?

Natural Resource Canada states the average Canadian idles for eight minutes per day. 

If other family members also idle their vehicles, then as a family you are wasting too much fuel!

Use the Idling fuel and money estimator to see how you stack up and start saving some money by changing your idling behaviour. 

Additional resources

• Central Okanagan Idling Control Technical Report
• Idling and Air Quality Attitudinal Study (2016) to help identify Central Okanagan citizens' perceptions and attitudes towards air quality and idling
• Natural Resources Canada- 
  • FAQ
  • Idle-Free Zone for Businesses
  • Idle-Free Zone for Communities and Government