Gas Question, Myth or Fact?

Question

I just have a quick question about gas, does a vehicle consume more gas starting as opposed to shutting it off while you wait 1 minute for a stop light to go from red to green? if so, what about if you're waiting 5 minutes?

In other words, which situation would cause your vehicle to consume more gas?

1. shutting your vehicle off to wait for a a 1 minute stop light to turn green and then starting your vehicle again

or

2. not shutting your vehicle off during the 1 minute stop light and, obviously, using up gas while u are stopped

Thanks for any answer[s] you can give me.

Answer 1

It depends on numerous factors, but if you are going to wait more than a minute or two (as for a freight train crossing), it will save more gas to shut it off and restart it.  I would leave it running at a regular stoplight.