Re:Another reason engines are idled (Score 1)

You have a very old view of a diesel engine. Modern diesel engines don't have any problem starting in cold weather, down to -10 degrees C they don't need electrical heaters and with electrical heaters installed starting isn't a big problem down to -35 degrees C. You are right about the modern diesel engine being fairly efficient but only when hauling 60 tonnes through the country, not when running idle. An idle running 13+ liter diesel engine needs 3 to 5 kW just to keep itself running, the additional power needed for the A/C is probably less than this. And I know garbage trucks probably don't have a modern engine but with the current emmision levels a modern diesel engine should not smoke (visibly) when accelerating. As you can see from the use of the metric system am from Europe and I work for a truck engine manufacturer so these facts are based on European engines but I think the same goes for US truck engines.