So now when I go into a corner shop for two minutes I don't have to turn the car off, only to start it again. I can now get out with the engine running, lock with said key blade in fob on the driver's door, and not worry about some punk running off with my radar detector.

I only realized I could do this today, after having had the upholstery washed. Since it's freezing outside I had to leave the car running for hours to dry it off. I took the spare out, tried the buttons, but only the blade in fob approach works.

The said key blade now resides on the same link as my house keys, which never leave my person.

you leave the keys in the ignition and lock with the spare?

sounds great until some punk puts a brick through the window then drives off easily with the keys!

It's not for when it's out of my sight. Just for when I need to take a couple of steps away from it and still leave it running.

I'm a bit paranoid about not being within reaching distance of the unlocked car.

The most common situation I have is small shop is I guess 20 steps from where I can park the car. You buy through a window, don't get inside. To get a can of Coke and some chewing gum I have to get out, turn off engine so I can retrieve the key and lock the car, then go shop, return and undo everything.

Sorry but I think the idea is stupid. Read first reply.

Sorry.

Someone who works at my mate's place just had his car stolen with the keys. He went into the shop (locked the car, keys NOT in ignition before anyone starts!) comes out with a paper, gets in the car and starts it. Puts his change in his pocket and realises that he's £10 short. Looks over towards the shop and it's there on the pavement. Gets out the car, walks around the front of the car to pick up the £10 note, scrote gets in his car and it's gone.

Insurance won't pay out and the car was found burnt out a couple of days later.

Definitely a REALLY stupid idea!

If you really need to do it, then a runlock would be a better solution, that will stop the engine dead if it is moved without the key in the ignition. As seen on a police car near you.

EVS - Emergency Vehicle Solutions : Run Lock Relay Unit [Runlock] - £79.99

If you really need to do it, then a runlock would be a better solution, that will stop the engine dead if it is moved without the key in the ignition. As seen on a police car near you.

EVS - Emergency Vehicle Solutions : Run Lock Relay Unit [Runlock] - £79.99

Agreed! keyless running systems are a lot cheaper than losing your car, and not getting a penny from your insurance company!

Although he is in Romania

How long does it actually take to restart a car? Would be interested in a race between just taking the keys out and locking it with the blipper versus getting out of car, getting spare key out of pocket, putting spare key into lock etc... Can't see the difference being anything worthwhile (unless you are an armed bank robber and want to make a quick getaway perhaps?!)

Agreed: the question that occurs to me is: "WHY"??????????

How long does it actually take to restart a car? Would be interested in a race between just taking the keys out and locking it with the blipper versus getting out of car, getting spare key out of pocket, putting spare key into lock etc... Can't see the difference being anything worthwhile (unless you are an armed bank robber and want to make a quick getaway perhaps?!)

Exactly what I was thinking.

System 1: Turn and eject key, get out, push blip, buy coke (cola, not Columbian marching powder), push blip, insert key, turn and away you go

System 2: Get out, fumble for keys in pocket, insert key, turn, buy Coke, (insert following scenario – scally wag chucks brick through window, opens door and drives away), insert key, fumble the keys back in pocket, and away you go.

Which system would everyone else choose?

Only one problem that I can see with this system: It is illegal to leave the engine running if the car is unattended.

Only one problem that I can see with this system: It is illegal to leave the engine running if the car is unattended.

In the UK, yes.

EVS - Emergency Vehicle Solutions : Run Lock Relay Unit [Runlock] - £79.99

I always wondered what the police etc did, so is it only illegal to leave a vehicle running (with nobody in it) if the keys are in the ignition, so it can be driven away by anyone?

I always wondered what the police etc did, so is it only illegal to leave a vehicle running (with nobody in it) if the keys are in the ignition, so it can be driven away by anyone?

I don't believe the legislation concerning "quitting a vehicle" makes any mention of a key. There needs to be a suitable driver with the vehicle - not necessarily the person who was driving , so a passenger with a licence is acceptable. I don't believe a passenger over the drink drive limit is OK , but from what I remember , the passenger can legally be in the back of the car even though this would make it much trickier to get to the controls if needed.

I don't remember an exemption for the emergency services , but there almost certainly is one.

As for if this extra key is a good idea - I don't think so.

What's the problem with restarting the car after a short period?

It's not going to affect the car in any way , and if it's so long that the car will cool down then you definitely shouldn't leave it running that long.

From a legal point of view (I am a solicitor specialising in crime) I have two problems with this, both been mentioned already.

1) Virtually all insurance policies will not pay if the keys were left with the vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle was locked with another key.

2) I cannot even begin to estimate the number of people I've represented who have nicked cars in seconds without the assistance of the keys being in, never mind with them.

For the, what, 8 seconds?, that it saves you, I'd just lock up then re-open. As for drying upholstery, use a hairdryer!!

Asking for trouble.

From a legal point of view (I am a solicitor specialising in crime) I have two problems with this, both been mentioned already.

1) Virtually all insurance policies will not pay if the keys were left with the vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle was locked with another key.

2) I cannot even begin to estimate the number of people I've represented who have nicked cars in seconds without the assistance of the keys being in, never mind with them.

For the, what, 8 seconds?, that it saves you, I'd just lock up then re-open. As for drying upholstery, use a hairdryer!!

Asking for trouble.

What he said.

As for the legality of Runlock, in theory, it certainly would fit the definition of the offence of Quitting. However, what Police Officer is going to give himself or his colleagues a ticket for Quitting?

I do the same thing with the spare key when the car needs 10 minutes to warm up at 5am in the morning while i go and get some warm water for the screen and finish my cuppa, not so sure id do it later on though

I do the same thing with the spare key when the car needs 10 minutes to warm up at 5am in the morning while i go and get some warm water for the screen and finish my cuppa, not so sure id do it later on though

That is the prime time for thieves to go looking for cars left running. They'll nick the car, your left paying HP on a car you no longer own becuase the insurance wont.

Brother-in-law's a copper. Seriously DONT DO THIS! Amazing how many people look blankly at him when he attends thefts at 5/6/7AM when people thought it was quiet so safe. WRONG.

No comment on the thread but did like Dr Zoiberg remark "on the back of a AA truck etc"

I would never, ever, ever, EVER, EVERRR want to leave my keys anywhere near my car while I'm not near it.

You surely are ASKING for trouble

Each to their own, certainly wouldn't want to do it in this country as crime is rife

The problem for a car thief these days is not getting into the car, but getting past the immobiliser. You've solved this problem!