Forgive me if this is a silly question, but what is harmful about starting your car and leaving it running? (aside from the emissions and fuel used)

Nothing, just people being anal

only time of year i wish i was driving a ford with quickclear

Forgive me if this is a silly question, but what is harmful about starting your car and leaving it running? (aside from the emissions and fuel used)

Time and security :wonder:

only time of year i wish i was driving a ford with quickclear

its only good if your screen is damage free on a very frosty morning.

Time and security :wonder:

I see, so it is more down to where you live then as the time factor is negated by being ready 5 minutes earlier, or as some have said, turning the car on and continuing with other things. I suppose it is a luxury that I can leave my car running and not have to worry about it being stolen.

I see, so it is more down to where you live then as the time factor is negated by being ready 5 minutes earlier, or as some have said, turning the car on and continuing with other things. I suppose it is a luxury that I can leave my car running and not have to worry about it being stolen.

if it was, you wouldn't be covered by insurance any way.

The majority of stolen defrosting cars my tame copper deals with are in safe quiet areas. people are more likely to do it, and the criminals know and count on it.

Warm Water

Yep. Just about warm water works a treat, and gets the glass warm so it doesn't mist when you drive away.

Forgive me if this is a silly question, but what is harmful about starting your car and leaving it running? (aside from the emissions and fuel used)

The effects are probably overstated, but a certain amount of bore washing- the rich mixture can wash oil off the cylinder walls. The catalyst won't be helped either.

friend of mine uses a little electric fan heater on a extension lead puts in car shuts door has cup of tea car defrosted and warm no need to start car

I used to do that in my mini clubman in the 70s as even if you had been running for 10 miles was not warm, as on previous posts aerosols are a waste of time you need a trigger spray, halfords one is good

The effects are probably overstated, but a certain amount of bore washing- the rich mixture can wash oil off the cylinder walls. The catalyst won't be helped either.

Would this also be the case with a diesel?

Halfords deicer aerosol....

Then pull over after 100 yards as its frozen again. Also the condensation inside has also frozen so cant wipe it off, proven by the kitchen roll stuck to the inside of the window. (Cue Hamlet cigar advert).

Lesson learned. If its really cold start car and lock with spare key. Go inside for 5 mins and finish tea. Get in car and drive.

Not tried it on the Greenline yet. Some say it takes ages to warm up so might have to rethink.

Would this also be the case with a diesel?

No, not really. Maybe a little, but diesels don't really enrich the mixture much (any?) when cold, plus diesel's an oil. There's still the problem of the oil not circulating as well, but less of a problem.

Halfords deicer aerosol....

Then pull over after 100 yards as its frozen again. Also the condensation inside has also frozen so cant wipe it off, proven by the kitchen roll stuck to the inside of the window. (Cue Hamlet cigar advert).

Lesson learned. If its really cold start car and lock with spare key. Go inside for 5 mins and finish tea. Get in car and drive.

Not tried it on the Greenline yet. Some say it takes ages to warm up so might have to rethink.

Try warm (but only just warm) water. It stops all that buggering about.

Try warm (but only just warm) water. It stops all that buggering about.

I do that when at home (south coast). If you do it in Scotland (sometimes I work there) its practically frozen again as it leaves the jug. Starting the car is the only way combined with lots of scraping.

You could use IPA which is isopropyl alcohol in bulk. Thats all de icer is anyway combined with a thixotropic chemical. I might just try adding some IPA to warm water. Will stop it re-freezing and the IPA will just evaporate off leaving no mess. I can get it in gallon containers. Its worth a try.

Lesson learned. If its really cold start car and lock with spare key. Go inside for 5 mins and finish tea. Get in car and drive.

Not tried it on the Greenline yet. Some say it takes ages to warm up so might have to rethink.

As above, thiefs wet dream, not insured if stolen, and breaking traffic laws leaving a running vehicle unattended.

As above, thiefs wet dream, not insured if stolen, and breaking traffic laws leaving a running vehicle unattended.

Locked on private property........

For me who does not tend to use the car very often nowadays (since last winter) I will be letting the car defrost on it's own, but if I do have to scrape it, then I will be using de-icer and a scraper and the heated rear window, thats what I'm going to miss not having a heated front screen!

For me who does not tend to use the car very often nowadays (since last winter) I will be letting the car defrost on it's own, but if I do have to scrape it, then I will be using de-icer and a scraper and the heated rear window, thats what I'm going to miss not having a heated front screen!

Your choice but warm water is quicker!! :yes:

Im a luke warm water man.

Used to use De-Icer and scraping etc years ago. But after going through 3 German Winters i found that chucking luke warm water on the car was the best way.

Luke warm water for me as well !

Yeah I found after last winter that on my last car I had scratched the glass to ribbons (tinted glass), will give the warm water a try this winter.

Some newspapers over the screen hey presto clear screen in the morning.

Edited 25 October, 201015 yr by Charlie Harlie

Years ago I used to use a large sheet of cardboard to cover the screen when I used to stay at my parents, only problems was if it rained it turned soggy but was good at keeping ice of the screen, only problem is my drive where I stay now is not ideal, still a walk from the house to the car.

I like other use warm water from a small watering can used for house-plants. I also remove any now from heater vents, then start car and put heater on the screen. I the past I have found de-icier frosts or mists up the inside of the glass. I would only use it for de-icing locks and washer jets.

For clearing snow, I use an soft brush to clear the worst off. I agree with the comment about T1-Rs on snow. I remember taking at least 1 hour to get up my drive.

Edited 25 October, 201015 yr by Jim H

cover the windscreen with the plastic suncreens tuck each end into the doors and drop the wippers down on the plastic het presto no frost on windscreenB) but warm water is fine,until it re-freezes 2 minutes down the road,plastic cover is best.

Hi,

I have a 07 Fabia 1 and the last few mornings the rubber seals have been frozen to the roof and the doors have therefore been frozen stuck! I have had to pour warm water on them to get the doors open before I can start the engine and turn the heater on. Has anyone else had the problem and been able to overcome it?

Cheers

Simon