Traffic Jam - what to do.

chrisw

The fuel isn't that great an issue.

According to the display in my diesel car, it uses 0.1 gallons per hour idling which increases to 0.2 gallons per hour when the air con compressor cuts in. Assuming the compressor runs constantly, which it doesn't, that's 1.2 gallons over 6 hours or 5.5 litres. Which is about one tenth of a tank.

I would still prefer engine off, windows open though.

50Twuncle

chrisw wrote: »

The fuel isn't that great an issue.

According to the display in my diesel car, it uses 0.1 gallons per hour idling which increases to 0.2 gallons per hour when the air con compressor cuts in. Assuming the compressor runs constantly, which it doesn't, that's 1.2 gallons over 6 hours or 5.5 litres. Which is about one tenth of a tank.

I would still prefer engine off, windows open though.

That's interesting - I always wondered how much a car used when idling.
0.2 gallons per hour / 1 litre per hour would cost about 2p per minute so it does add up....
Diesels apparently are much MUCH more economical at tickover than petrols - so we may have to double the consumption for a petrol ?

EssexExile

I wouldn't worry about something that is so unlikely. If one worried about every such remote possibility life would be hell.

Penelopa.Pitstop

It's not that remote possibility, especialy on M25 and around it. Couple of years ago in summer people got stuck on a way to Dover and spent night on motorway, with kids and in high temperatures outside. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-36873632

Another case was accident on M26 and hours of waiting. That was in 2014.

I always carry some food and water in a car and other useful things, just in case. It does not cost a lot to keep it in a box in a boot and check it from time to time and replace.

50Twuncle

EssexExile wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about something that is so unlikely. If one worried about every such remote possibility life would be hell.

It happens on the M5 in Somerset about 6 times a year - due to caravans overturning etc

debtdebt

OP, do you also wonder about what would happen if the sky collapsed?

50Twuncle

debtdebt wrote: »

OP, do you also wonder about what would happen if the sky collapsed?

Yes I do - and my names not chicken licken

EssexExile

50Twuncle wrote: »

It happens on the M5 in Somerset about 6 times a year - due to caravans overturning etc

6 hour queues 6 times a year? Really? I've been very lucky then.

Unless you are actually there when it happens, your satnav will take you around the problem.

AdrianC

EssexExile wrote: »

Unless you are actually there when it happens, your satnav will take you around the problem.

Assuming you use a satnav. Not everybody does.

mark1959

AdrianC wrote: »

Sitting stationary in the car with the windows closed and aircon running for six hours would seem to be a very silly thing to do, wouldn't it?

Turn the engine off. Open the windows and doors, keeping an eye for emergency services needing to pass between lanes.

Is that to ensure that any motorcyclist can't filter, so they get held up as well?