Leaving your car running unattended?
 

Is this a normal practice where you drop off or pick up your children?

I'm talking about daycare mostly, when the parent is out of the car for a few minutes. They just leave the car running and go inside to pick up the kid(s):eek:
There is also a nursing home across the street.

Are you suggesting that it's a waste of fuel or that the inhabitants of the nursing home are apt to steal a car?

Don't do it myself.

I just think it is a unnecessary risk to leave a car running with children and the elderly around.

The only time my car is running without me in it is on those cooooold Michigan mornings.

If I must stop somewhere and I have my kids they come with me.

CAn I have the address, I need a new SUV! :D

It depends. If you're really upside-down in the car and looking to trade for something else, it could be a solution.

Probably the first time I ever left a bike running was this evening after closing up. It barely started (was 30 degrees and I'd run electric jacket & gloves going to work). Monday is wine night (15% off) so I left it running at the liquor store. Was still there after I paid.
Jim

I will leave my 246,000 mile shop beater grand cherokee running in the morning when I am shooting into the quickie mart for cofee. It has its own security system, it is soo dirty and beat up, one would have to be desperate to take it. I dont leave it run when dropping my kid off at school, and never leave my son in it unattended.
Too many whack jobs out there these days.

I leave my cars running all the time (when it's a matter of a few moments), but have another key or remote to lock them.

I remote start my truck all the time to warm it up. Especially when it's as cold as it is now.

When I had an old diesel Mercedes, I used to leave it running all the time in the winter, because it was 50/50 on whether it would restart. I had a second key that I would lock it with. Probably saved me $100's of dollars on towing bills for a few extra dollars in diesel.

Insurance isn't going to cover squat when you do that... you'll probably be SOL.

Insurance covers stupidity. But in some states you'll be ticketed

What do you consider elderly?

Tom

most places have "no idle" zones here - cars pollute; kids are highly susceptible to pollution...

it is also illegal in some Jd's

why not just go for a short "joy" ride when you see one?

Ever watch "Cops"?

yes, that's why I said "short"


or for alternative fun, pull the keys out and walk in with them - ask where the lost & found is, and drop the keys in the box

3rd idea - pull the keys and call the cops - give keys to cops when they arrive; say you were worried the car might get stolen

(do I hate soccer moms???)

I've been know to leave cars running.... Of course around here you can leave a car unlocked with the keys hanging in the door and it won't move. :D


We have the remotes on our diesels to where they can be detached from the key. We usually leave the truck running and locked when its just a short stop.

I don't ever leave my car running like that, maybe if I was running the heater or A/C, depending on the season, but I would be sitting in it.

It's odd, I see it all the time at my local 7-11. This is in the greater Los Angeles area. The cars range from Toyotas to Porsches. Yes, I have been tempted to liberate them on occasion. Drive them a little down the block, see if the idiots learn their lesson. But, it still would be stealing. :( I could have some nice cars right about now.