If you operate a Chevy Silverado MD truck in California, including either the Silverado 4500 HD, 5500 HD, or 6500 HD, you may have noticed that the truck is outfitted with a small, oval sticker that shows an outline of California state and text that reads “Certified Clean Idle.” Now, we’re taking a closer look at what this clean idle sticker means and why the Chevy Silverado MD has one.
Back in 2008, the California Air Resources Board (or CARB) mandated that diesel-powered trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more were not allowed to idle for longer than five minutes. The regulation was intended to reduce emissions and save on fuel, while vehicle owners and drivers that break the law can face fines ranging between $300 and $1,000.
Naturally, there are a few exceptions. For example, trucks can still idle while stuck in traffic, or when it’s necessary to service or inspect the vehicle, or when stuck due to adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure, or a few other reasons.
The Chevy Silverado MD, which is equipped with the 6.6L V8 L5D turbodiesel Duramax engine, is given an exception as well, as indicated by the clean idle sticker. Although the Chevy Silverado MD has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, drivers can continue to idle the truck for more than five minutes without running the risk of incurring penalties in California. This is particularly useful when waiting at a job site to keep the cabin either cool or warm, depending on ambient temperatures.
As for specs on the clean idle 6.6L V8 L5D turbodiesel Duramax engine, output ranges up to a maximum of 350 horsepower at 2,700 rpm and 700 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, all of which is directed through the close-ratio Allison six-speed automatic transmission. Notably, the Chevy Silverado MD is available with either rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive.
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Comments
“Allowed” to idle. What a great time to be alive
“Forget it, Joe. It’s California.”
Always wondered if this (idle) applied to things like a school bus (esp those southern places where the AC is needed)
Southern places have common sense and don’t follow carb. It’s your vehicle, it’s your life, do what you want with it.
These decals are common on any class 5 and up truck as just about every engine is ‘clean idke’. The dumb thing is, CARB won’t certify smaller diesel powered APU’s (~20hp engine to run AC and other sleeper functions). In CARB logic, it’s better to have a 15 liter engine idle all night than the smaller engine.
WELCOME TO THE USSR !
At the limo pool at logan airport there are 5 minute idle signs all over the parking lot. During Covid the limo building was locked tight and we couldn’t use the facilities. The building used to have chairs a tv bathrooms microwave vending machines. It was a place to sit and wait for your flight. The limo owners paid to use this building through our fees. So because they locked it we had to sit in our cars in the freezing winter with the engines running wasting gas. Then the Massport nazis would come around and tell us to shut off the engines or leave. Now it’s sumner and we are roasting in the cars. 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻
Meanwhile, the jets the elite use just on one flight will IME never equal a hundred thousand trucks idling for 10 minutes. No word on that from the environmentalist?
Wonder when we will see the gasoline engine option. 2023?
i was an emergency response tech and a mechanic for decades ! i learned that gm is way more compliant concerning emissions ! there are still alot of loopholes that will or will not trigger a CEL ! gm has always been easier to pinpoit ! ford and dodge are a joke !
That truck with a V8 gasoline engine you would have a hell of a gas bill.
Delete that sh*t and be done with it