Tech Unattended warm up

dondon · 1st November 2007, 14:08

I got a nasty fright last winter. It was really cold with ice on the car windows.

I started the engine and set the controls to demist and rear screen heater then started scraping the side windows........

Suddenly I heard the unmistakable sound of central locking working! 'Oh bu**er' I thought, 'I'm locked out of the car with the engine running'!

Then I turned round to see my next door neighbour had just UNlocked his car - relief!

PS How do people manage in Germany where it is illegal to leave the engine running like that?

cnicolini · 1st November 2007, 16:46

I believe that the new models now work like this: If you turn off the engine and get out of the car and lock it. Then unlock it, if you then do not open any doors, the car locks itself after 30 seconds as a safety feature. Its in the manual!

FWH · 1st November 2007, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by dondon

PS How do people manage in Germany where it is illegal to leave the engine running like that?

Good question.
However, it is also not so good for the engine to just sit a idle from cold.
E.g. when scraping ice off the windows.

dondon · 3rd November 2007, 21:38

So I understand, but then why is there a factory fit option on some expensive cars of remote start in VERY cold countries where you can start the car from inside your house to allow it to warm up?

FWH · 3rd November 2007, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by dondon

So I understand, but then why is there a factory fit option on some expensive cars of remote start in VERY cold countries where you can start the car from inside your house to allow it to warm up?

VERY cold countries...

I think you will find that this is not starting the engine but starting a engine pre-heater.

On my old Mercedes there is a petrol powered pre-heater and I have a big remote control with extending ariel!
On more modern cars you can do this by text message from you cell phone instead.

Have a look here:
Car

There are also electrical system, but these require your car to be hooked up to mains electricity.
Like this: DEFA WarmUp - Start page

terry · 4th November 2007, 12:03

When I was in Miami I had a Chevy Malibu as a hire car, that had remote starting to allow the air-con to get started.
My Bro in-law visited and had a similar car and didn't know of that feature, I borrowed his key fob just before we got to his car and started it up, then did the "did you leave the car running?" joke. It worked really well!

Terry

Terry

Dalboy · 4th November 2007, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry

When I was in Miami I had a Chevy Malibu as a hire car, that had remote starting to allow the air-con to get started.
My Bro in-law visited and had a similar car and didn't know of that feature, I borrowed his key fob just before we got to his car and started it up, then did the "did you leave the car running?" joke. It worked really well!

Terry

Terry

Doesn't fit well with recommendation to leave car in gear

FWH · 4th November 2007, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalboy

Doesn't fit well with recommendation to leave car in gear

As this was the US, I think you will find it was an automatic left in "park".

Dalboy · 4th November 2007, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

As this was the US, I think you will find it was an automatic left in "park".

was referring to Dondon's post as well

civicfan · 4th November 2007, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by dondon

PS How do people manage in Germany where it is illegal to leave the engine running like that?

There are generally 3 ways:

1. The very German way = scrub hard - that'll keep yuo from freezing
2. The slightly Polish way (which I'm applying since I'm Polish) =
screw the regulations and keep the engine running
3. Go and get a Webasto or an Eberspacher

FWH · 4th November 2007, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by civicfan

There are generally 3 ways:

1. The very German way = scrub hard - that'll keep yuo from freezing
2. The slightly Polish way (which I'm applying since I'm Polish) =
screw the regulations and keep the engine running
3. Go and get a Webasto or an Eberspacher

LOL

The Polish method is common in Sweden too.
Regulations vary locally, but in most areas 60 seconds of idle running is allowed.

beepee · 4th November 2007, 14:32

I have to admit that I always go out and start the car and leave it running till the windows demist. I've never seen anything clever in standing outside scraping the ice off. If you do warm the car up before moving off you don't get frozen breath on the inside of the screen either.

theface · 5th November 2007, 03:02

it is infact illegal to leave your car running unattended here in the uk, unless you are trying to diagnose a fault, this was on 'fifth gear' in a mini quiz they did.

FWH · 9th November 2007, 22:38

IF you do choose to scrape ice off the windshield with the engine running - watch out for the auto wipers!

Brodick · 9th November 2007, 22:44

Apparently it is is the updated highway code that you are not allowed to leave a car unattended when the engine is running - don't think it is strictly illeagal but the police can give you a tug if they spot you and think it dangerous ( which it is !)

FWH · 9th November 2007, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodick

Apparently it is is the updated highway code that you are not allowed to leave a car unattended when the engine is running - don't think it is strictly illeagal but the police can give you a tug if they spot you and think it dangerous ( which it is !)

Please define unattended.

Brodick · 9th November 2007, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

Please define unattended.

car running and no one in it

FWH · 9th November 2007, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodick

car running and no one in it

in the driving seat or at all

Brodick · 9th November 2007, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

in the driving seat or at all

I would think at all ( but could be either way)

Really will need to get a copy

FWH · 9th November 2007, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodick

Really will need to get a copy

I think you will.

1st November 2007, 14:08	#1 (permalink)
dondon Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 18th February 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Unattended warm up I got a nasty fright last winter. It was really cold with ice on the car windows. I started the engine and set the controls to demist and rear screen heater then started scraping the side windows........ Suddenly I heard the unmistakable sound of central locking working! 'Oh bu**er' I thought, 'I'm locked out of the car with the engine running'! Then I turned round to see my next door neighbour had just UNlocked his car - relief! PS How do people manage in Germany where it is illegal to leave the engine running like that?

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This thread is about: Unattended warm up, it's in Engines and Transmission at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I got a nasty fright last winter. It was really cold with ice on the car windows. I started the engine and set the controls ...

1st November 2007, 16:46	#2 (permalink)
cnicolini Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th August 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 587 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader: (0)	I believe that the new models now work like this: If you turn off the engine and get out of the car and lock it. Then unlock it, if you then do not open any doors, the car locks itself after 30 seconds as a safety feature. Its in the manual!

3rd November 2007, 21:38	#4 (permalink)
dondon Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 18th February 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	So I understand, but then why is there a factory fit option on some expensive cars of remote start in VERY cold countries where you can start the car from inside your house to allow it to warm up?

4th November 2007, 12:03	#6 (permalink)
terry Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th September 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	When I was in Miami I had a Chevy Malibu as a hire car, that had remote starting to allow the air-con to get started. My Bro in-law visited and had a similar car and didn't know of that feature, I borrowed his key fob just before we got to his car and started it up, then did the "did you leave the car running?" joke. It worked really well! Terry Terry

4th November 2007, 14:32	#12 (permalink)
beepee Wheelnut Join Date: 1st December 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I have to admit that I always go out and start the car and leave it running till the windows demist. I've never seen anything clever in standing outside scraping the ice off. If you do warm the car up before moving off you don't get frozen breath on the inside of the screen either.

5th November 2007, 03:02	#13 (permalink)
theface Valve Cap Join Date: 9th September 2007 Location: cambridge Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	it is infact illegal to leave your car running unattended here in the uk, unless you are trying to diagnose a fault, this was on 'fifth gear' in a mini quiz they did.

9th November 2007, 22:38	#14 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 6,328 Thanks: 17 Thanked 77 Times in 70 Posts iTrader: (0)	IF you do choose to scrape ice off the windshield with the engine running - watch out for the auto wipers!

9th November 2007, 22:44	#15 (permalink)
Brodick Perfect Guy! Rocketship door handle Join Date: 2nd December 2006 Location: Central Scotland Posts: 1,890 Thanks: 2 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts iTrader: (0)	Apparently it is is the updated highway code that you are not allowed to leave a car unattended when the engine is running - don't think it is strictly illeagal but the police can give you a tug if they spot you and think it dangerous ( which it is !)