My son always leaves the car running when he gets out of it. Isn't this dumb? How do I stop this?

Question

The car is new, he says he saves gas. I think it is risky and bad for insurance and safety purposes. I need proof so he will believe me. He thinks I am over reacting. Isn't there a danger in this?

Answer 1

Q1. "Isn't this dumb?"
A1. That depends on where he leaves it running and for how long. Anything more than 60 seconds is a waste of gas. Although if the car is new it might be part of a break-in period.

Q2. "How do I stop this?"
A2. You're his moms, just smack him upside his head and take the keys.

Answer 2

Among other things, it's actually illegal in most jurisdictions to leave an unattended vehicle running. Also, many insurance policies require you to secure the vehicle any time you get out -- i.e. shut it off, take the keys, and lock the vehicle. They won't pay a theft claim if the vehicle is left with the keys in it, running or not!

Leaving it running CANNOT save gas! Some ultra fuel efficient vehicles actually shut the engine off when the vehicle is stopped and re-start it when you pull away from the stop. The extra fuel used in starting an engine is about 10 seconds of running time, and that's only if the engine is cold. With the engine at operating temp, it's about 2 or 3 seconds at best.

If he's a minor and it's your car, the solution is simple. If he leaves it running again, he loses the right to drive YOUR car. Period.

Answer 3

So he thinks he's a cop, and does he leave the doors wide open also?

There's really no reason to leave the vehicle running unattended, the first thing that comes to mind doing this is theft. Even if you lock the doors, there's the posibility that you cannot unlock the doors with another key without triggering the engine demobilizer the next time the vehicle is started.

So pretty much your proof is from the theft point of view. If someone steals that vehicle guess who's in trouble if something happens, whoever's name is on the registration.

Answer 4

It is not only unsafe, it is illegal. Cars cannot be left running without a person in the driver's seat.

Most police won't ticket anyone for this if they can see someone in the immediate area. However, if they see a car running and no one in the immediate area, they will ticket the vehicle.

Once he is ticketed, his insurance company will significantly raise his insurance rates, since this is the most common way for a vehicle to be stolen. Criminals will act on impulse if they spot a car, especially a new car, running with no one in the immediate area.

As far as safety, it is obviously unsafe. If some child should happen to get in and put the car in gear, he would be completely responsible for anything that happens. Should the child get killed, or kill someone else, your son would be sentenced to serious prison time.

Answer 5

You should shut off any car made today if you are going to let it idle more than a minute. You do not save gas by letting it run as it takes no gas to restart a fuel injection car. Also while setting there running heat is building up in the exhaust as it has no air flow under the car to remove the excess heat. Not good. So for those reasons and your reasons, the car should be shut off.

Answer 6

DO NOT "steal" the car or have someone do it. If he reports the car stolen and someone else is seen driving it, they could be be arrested (or worse--pursued, forced off the road, etc.).

Get on the Internet and find stories and videos of incidents with cars left running (not funny ones). The car can jump out of gear, its easier to steal, etc. Your insurance company might have some info on how they feel about it.

If he is an adult and the car is his, not much you can do. Except give him a ride when his car gets wrecked or stolen.

Answer 7

THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND STUPID! An unattended car could slip into gear and kill someone or the car could be stolen by anyone! Ask him how he would feel if some eight year old saw his running car and decided to "play" racecar driver! What if he left it running in the garage and your child went in the garage for some unknown reason and was overcome by carbon monoxide! IT MIGHT SAVE A DROP OF GAS, BUT THE DANGERS INVOLVED SEEM NOT WORTH IT!!!!!

Answer 8

Ask a friend to grab the car when it is left with motor running, and run away and stay low for a few days, then after a few days have it brought back. Do all these without letting your son know about it. This will teach him an unforgettable real & valuable lesson and it will be a fun, innocent adventure for you and yr friend.

Answer 9

I assume he has ears, and you have a mouth, so say to him 'How could it possibly use less fuel running than turned off?'

If he tells you it takes more gas to start it than to leave it running, tell him not with new fuel injected vehicles, which recommend you shut them off instead of idling if you are going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds.

If he wants proof, tell him "Oklatom said so!"

Not to mention excessive idling is not good for the catalytic converters, they tend to overheat and fail.

Answer 10

I see people getting out of their cars, leaving them running, with the doors open and with their stereo full blast(as if the rest of the world wants to listen) and go into a store, usually young guys. I think its crazy and risky for many reasons and stupid.