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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 21:22:04

Title: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 21:22:04
Now I know this was discussed a few days ago, mostly hearsay iirc.

Yesterday was  very frosty morning, we live in a small village, house is on the primary road through the village.
SWMBO started up the Mig, parked on the road and came back into the house as the car warmed.  I did the same in the Citroen, parked on the drive, nice warm car to get into........ :D :D :D
My sister in law who lives, in the far corner of the estate opposite our house, which is in effect a large culdesac, did the same with her 54 reg Nissan 4X4 popping back into the house and upstairs to get something.  She heard some revving, looked out of the window only to see her car being driven off.

Worst thing is, as some members warned, the initial reaction of the Insurance Company is that; as the keys were in it, regardless of engine running, it is not covered........ :( :(

Brother reckons it is 'scroats' on the off chance, walking the village, knowing that a lot of people will be doing this at school run time. He is a little bit peed off, to say the least........ :(
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Lazydocker on 02 December 2009, 21:29:06
It's bad news Vamps but....

Proof that Migs are worth bugger all though ::) ::)
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Lazydocker on 02 December 2009, 21:29:56
Must confess... I generally nip out and start the car... But I live in the middle of nowhere ;) ;)
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 21:31:46
I have done it for years, and our village has very few problems, just goes to show how easy it is to get complacent..... :-X
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: candyman on 02 December 2009, 21:34:32
i have a key out system in my van for this. van sits and warms up with it running and i can take the keys out of the igntion and lock the doors. van turns off if handbrake is let off.  van is always warm by the time im leaving!
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: cruisetopoland on 02 December 2009, 21:35:25
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 21:37:14
On a modern car, could you lock the car with another key, leaving the first on in warming the engine? just a thought... ::)
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: candyman on 02 December 2009, 21:42:31
apparently its against the law for a vehicle to be left running unattended with the keys in the ign. a lot of the police vehicles over here have it. you could make it with 2 relays and a push switch. the above system is like what the airport fire engines use to keep the engines warm.
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: waspy on 02 December 2009, 21:43:16
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Andy H on 02 December 2009, 21:46:59
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y
If your diesel has the diesel fired heater under the front wing you should be able to fit a controller to operate it without the engine running. Saves having to trail mains cables across your drive.
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: cruisetopoland on 02 December 2009, 21:51:44
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y

Used one sold on ebay recently at £67....
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: waspy on 02 December 2009, 21:53:31
Quote
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y
If your diesel has the diesel fired heater under the front wing you should be able to fit a controller to operate it without the engine running. Saves having to trail mains cables across your drive.

She does, but i'm not keeping her :(
Thank you all the same :y
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Brick Tamland on 02 December 2009, 22:01:42
Quote
On a modern car, could you lock the car with another key, leaving the first on in warming the engine? just a thought... ::)

I had both keys of my mig on me while reading that and I'm sitting near the front door ::)

Yes it works ;D
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 22:15:32
Quote
Quote
On a modern car, could you lock the car with another key, leaving the first on in warming the engine? just a thought... ::)

I had both keys of my mig on me while reading that and I'm sitting near the front door ::)

Yes it works ;D

Cool, or should I say warm........ ;D ;D ;D  might be the way to go if it is very cold...... :y
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Tony H on 02 December 2009, 22:21:18
Quote
Now I know this was discussed a few days ago, mostly hearsay iirc.

Yesterday was  very frosty morning, we live in a small village, house is on the primary road through the village.
SWMBO started up the Mig, parked on the road and came back into the house as the car warmed.  I did the same in the Citroen, parked on the drive, nice warm car to get into........ :D :D :D
My sister in law who lives, in the far corner of the estate opposite our house, which is in effect a large culdesac, did the same with her 54 reg Nissan 4X4 popping back into the house and upstairs to get something.  She heard some revving, looked out of the window only to see her car being driven off.

Worst thing is, as some members warned, the initial reaction of the Insurance Company is that; as the keys were in it, regardless of engine running, it is not covered........ :( :(

Brother reckons it is 'scroats' on the off chance, walking the village, knowing that a lot of people will be doing this at school run time. He is a little bit peed off, to say the least........ :(
Thats some thing that happens alot around here >:(
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: p j morgan on 02 December 2009, 22:38:02
you should do what i do open the tailget let the wolf in the car start the engine ,no chance of anybody nicking my mig got the best alarm ever 10 stone of german shepard .woof woof :D :D ;D :y
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Brick Tamland on 02 December 2009, 22:40:17
Quote
you should do what i do open the tailget let the wolf in the car start the engine ,no chance of anybody nicking my mig got the best alarm ever 10 stone of german shepard .woof woof :D :D ;D :y

As my dad would say, can he put out fires? :D ;D

Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 02 December 2009, 22:42:13
Construction and Use Regulations 98 & 107 seems to cover this;


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070304

Item 123



....and in its practical application;


http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23429827-driver-fined-for-leaving-engine-running-as-car-defrosted-outside-his-home.do
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: davethediver on 02 December 2009, 23:24:28
Quote
Quote
Now I know this was discussed a few days ago, mostly hearsay iirc.

Yesterday was  very frosty morning, we live in a small village, house is on the primary road through the village.
SWMBO started up the Mig, parked on the road and came back into the house as the car warmed.  I did the same in the Citroen, parked on the drive, nice warm car to get into........ :D :D :D
My sister in law who lives, in the far corner of the estate opposite our house, which is in effect a large culdesac, did the same with her 54 reg Nissan 4X4 popping back into the house and upstairs to get something.  She heard some revving, looked out of the window only to see her car being driven off.

Worst thing is, as some members warned, the initial reaction of the Insurance Company is that; as the keys were in it, regardless of engine running, it is not covered........ :( :(

Brother reckons it is 'scroats' on the off chance, walking the village, knowing that a lot of people will be doing this at school run time. He is a little bit peed off, to say the least........ :(
Thats some thing that happens alot around here >:(

 ;D ;D ;D Whys that then :question
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: jonnycool on 02 December 2009, 23:27:49
Quote
you should do what i do open the tailget let the wolf in the car start the engine ,no chance of anybody nicking my mig got the best alarm ever 10 stone of german shepard .woof woof :D :D ;D :y
Speaking of which, a large German shepard kept relieving itself on my doorstep, then to add insult to injury, his dog did the same!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 02 December 2009, 23:34:18
Quote
Quote
you should do what i do open the tailget let the wolf in the car start the engine ,no chance of anybody nicking my mig got the best alarm ever 10 stone of german shepard .woof woof :D :D ;D :y
Speaking of which, a large German shepard kept relieving itself on my doorstep, then to add insult to injury, his dog did the same!  ;D ;D

 ;D ;D ;D even if you are hijacking my post... :P :P
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Tony H on 02 December 2009, 23:36:57
Quote
Quote
Quote
Now I know this was discussed a few days ago, mostly hearsay iirc.

Yesterday was  very frosty morning, we live in a small village, house is on the primary road through the village.
SWMBO started up the Mig, parked on the road and came back into the house as the car warmed.  I did the same in the Citroen, parked on the drive, nice warm car to get into........ :D :D :D
My sister in law who lives, in the far corner of the estate opposite our house, which is in effect a large culdesac, did the same with her 54 reg Nissan 4X4 popping back into the house and upstairs to get something.  She heard some revving, looked out of the window only to see her car being driven off.

Worst thing is, as some members warned, the initial reaction of the Insurance Company is that; as the keys were in it, regardless of engine running, it is not covered........ :( :(

Brother reckons it is 'scroats' on the off chance, walking the village, knowing that a lot of people will be doing this at school run time. He is a little bit peed off, to say the least........ :(
Thats some thing that happens alot around here >:(

 ;D ;D ;D
:question
Cos their's a load of numptys that live round here that have their heads up their ars@s when it comes to common sence regarding security !!
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: feeutfo on 03 December 2009, 00:17:22
Quote
On a modern car, could you lock the car with another key, leaving the first on in warming the engine? just a thought... ::)
Exactly what i do. Post the spare key through letter box and away. They can smash the window though.
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Vamps on 03 December 2009, 00:31:01
Quote
Quote
On a modern car, could you lock the car with another key, leaving the first on in warming the engine? just a thought... ::)
Exactly what i do. Post the spare key through letter box and away. They can smash the window though.

But at least they have broken in, just thinking insurance wise, cos they would know no difference.. :-X
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Amigo on 03 December 2009, 06:28:04
What a bunch of Wusses & devoid of common sense!
    I'm sorry, i really am but but you risk your cars getting stolen because you don't want to get cold?????

   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: feeutfo on 03 December 2009, 06:45:45
Quote
What a bunch of Wusses & devoid of common sense!
    I'm sorry, i really am but but you risk your cars getting stolen because you don't want to get cold?????

   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::)
Thought through as usuall Guy!
   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::)

Its break all to do with getting cold, its to do with not having time to defrost the car before you have to leave or be late for work.

If i didnt want to get cold i would not be outside at 5.15am in me bloody dressing gown with the spare key. ::)

Alarm goes off 5.15am 10mins to get dressed and ready, 5.25 leave house, "IF" the car is not frosted up. If frosty start the car first, leave on time......

 If its still there of course. ;D

Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: KillerWatt on 03 December 2009, 07:32:23
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y
A turbo timer is a quarter of that price.
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 December 2009, 10:02:33
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y

I've wondered if one of those would be a good idea myself, especially on LPG. Would save using petrol at all, pretty much.

Not at that price, obviously, but it's only a kettle element in a box and a small pump.

I would be bound to drive off with the bu66er still plugged in, or forget to connect it up in the evening, though.

Kevin
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: Entwood on 03 December 2009, 10:12:29
Quote
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y

I've wondered if one of those would be a good idea myself, especially on LPG. Would save using petrol at all, pretty much.

Not at that price, obviously, but it's only a kettle element in a box and a small pump.

I would be bound to drive off with the bu66er still plugged in, or forget to connect it up in the evening, though.

Kevin

[Start Thread drift] .........   :)

Did that in Northern Canada on a detachment once .. no bugger told me all the pool cars were plugged in to sump heaters (average temp at night - 8 F  - yup -8 F !!) .... now you would have thought someone would have designed the connection to break in that eventuality .....  but no ... I had 20 feet of cable ripped off the fence before I realised ... my only excuse is I was looking out of the back window as I was reversing .. so didn't see the carnage at the front !!!

Sump heaters are good .. but need a decent memory in the "human interface" .....  :)

[end thread drift]
Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: feeutfo on 03 December 2009, 11:23:13
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Was always advised never to do this as insurers have no obligation to pay out....

An old neighbour used to have one of these and swore by it as it got the car warmed up without starting.  IIRC he had it wired to a timer with a relay to the heater fan to heat the cabin/windows up too:

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&pgCode=&sgName=&pgName=&agCode=&agName=&pCode=080.254

If it saved the 10mpg consumption of the first few miles every day, it would soon pay for itself-anyone used one??

£245.00 excluding, hells bells :o :o :o :o
It's given me an idea to make my own though :y

I've wondered if one of those would be a good idea myself, especially on LPG. Would save using petrol at all, pretty much.

Not at that price, obviously, but it's only a kettle element in a box and a small pump.

I would be bound to drive off with the bu66er still plugged in, or forget to connect it up in the evening, though.

Kevin

[Start Thread drift] .........   :)

Did that in Northern Canada on a detachment once .. no bugger told me all the pool cars were plugged in to sump heaters (average temp at night - 8 F  - yup -8 F !!) .... now you would have thought someone would have designed the connection to break in that eventuality .....  but no ... I had 20 feet of cable ripped off the fence before I realised ... my only excuse is I was looking out of the back window as I was reversing .. so didn't see the carnage at the front !!!

Sump heaters are good .. but need a decent memory in the "human interface" .....  :)

[end thread drift]
Tried towing my garage up the road with a battery charger lead once. Not at my best in the mornings. ;D

Title: Re: A word to the wise.
Post by: davethediver on 03 December 2009, 11:50:50
Tried towing my garage up the road with a battery charger lead once. Not at my best in the mornings.

Quality ;D ;D ;D