Letting your car warm up

[jen0610]

Originally Posted by marcyinPA

Sometimes. If the windows are frosted over, or if the temperature is really really cold, I will. It makes me nervous because we have on-street parking, and I don't have my spare set of keys (DH has them on his ring), so I leave the car running and unlocked on the street. My neighborhood is pretty safe, but it only takes one "bad guy" to hop in and drive off in my mini-van...

That's why I love my stick. The greater percentage of the yahoo's in our neighborhood, that would even think about driving off in my car, would jump in and right back out. None of them can drive the thing.

Funny thing, I take my car to the same place all the time for an oil change. Every time, I remind the girl putting together the work order, it's a stick. 9 outta 10 times, the guy going out to pull my car into the bay, has to come back in and have someone else go pull it in.

[ReneeA]

Anytime it's under 10° outside, I do. If my windshield is iced over, I do. I put my heated seats on high and turn the front blower on high all winter, just in case I want to use the auto start.

I leave for work at 6:20am and don't get home until 8pm. Winters in Michigan are super cold, even colder at that time of day. No need to be tired AND frozen on my way to work.

[manning]

Originally Posted by jen0610

When it's negative outside, I'm not putting my behind in a freezing cold car. That is why its warmed up for as long as it is. Plus, I know my car and if she's not warmed up, she not a happy car.

OK by me, just clearing up a misconception.

[tvguy]

Originally Posted by kimblebee

We HAVE to plug in our car or it isn't moving the next day. I don't know one single person who uses a block heater (if that's the one inside the car). Cars around here have extension cords coming out of the front grill so they can be plugged in, wherever they are..

YOU have an engine block heater, that is what the extension cord coming out of the front is hooked up to. The interior heater is an interior heater I guess, I always remember them being in the passenger side footwell on my uncle's cars, but searching the web, it appears now most mount on top of the dashboard like this:

[Mermaid02]

I have an older car and it is VERY cold blooded. If I jump in and go it just doesn't have the "pick me up" for 10 minutes or so. In this weather I usually start it and let it run a bit in the summer I'm more likely to start and go- but she still doesn't like it!

[CdnCarrie]

Originally Posted by tvguy

YOU have an engine block heater, that is what the extension cord coming out of the front is hooked up to. The interior heater is an interior heater I guess, I always remember them being in the passenger side footwell on my uncle's cars, but searching the web, it appears now most mount on top of the dashboard like this:

Never seen anything like that before. No one around here on the Canadian Prairies has such a thing.

[Mom_Rides]

On very cold mornings (like this past week with negative morning temps) and if there is snow/frost on the windows, I will warm the car for 10 minutes or so. I usually run out, start the car, brew a cup of coffee, we put coats on and go. Mornings like today where the temps are above zero but still chilly, I run out, start the car and come back in to get coats on and such.

[DisneyFan32WI]

Originally Posted by CdnCarrie

Never seen anything like that before. No one around here on the Canadian Prairies has such a thing.

I don't know what the heck that thing is either!

[Gumbo4x4]

Fire up and go. We have a garage, so no need to scrape windshields unless it snows when I'm at work.

[Jennasis]

When we lived in NY, DH had a remote starter for his car. It was AWESOME on cold mornings (and for freaking out people in the parking lot who thought the car was possessed when it would start by itself). Now in NC, it really isn't necessary. We'll get in and rev it up and let it sit for a minute if it's uber-cold before driving off.

[Gumbo4x4]

Originally Posted by Jennasis

When we lived in NY, DH had a remote starter for his car. It was AWESOME on cold mornings (and for freaking out people in the parking lot who thought the car was possessed when it would start by itself). Now in NC, it really isn't necessary. We'll get in and rev it up and let it sit for a minute if it's uber-cold before driving off.

Wife has that feature on her car - we use it for the AC more than the heat

[tvguy]

Originally Posted by CdnCarrie

Never seen anything like that before. No one around here on the Canadian Prairies has such a thing.

I have 2 uncles, 2 aunts and 10 cousins on the Canadian Prariies with them.

[tasha99]

Originally Posted by manning

OK by me, just clearing up a misconception.

I was thinking the same thing. Wind chill for a car? Even if you're sitting in the car, you aren't feeling the wind chill.

I park in a garage at home. On the way home, I'll sit in my freezing car if it's 10 or lower, but I'm sure I don't sit long enough. I'm always impatient to get home.

[Northstar]

Originally Posted by tvguy

YOU have an engine block heater, that is what the extension cord coming out of the front is hooked up to. The interior heater is an interior heater I guess, I always remember them being in the passenger side footwell on my uncle's cars, but searching the web, it appears now most mount on top of the dashboard like this:

Originally Posted by CdnCarrie

Never seen anything like that before. No one around here on the Canadian Prairies has such a thing.

Originally Posted by tvguy

I have 2 uncles, 2 aunts and 10 cousins on the Canadian Prariies with them.

The mystery here is where the block heater is located. I believe cars sold in the frozen northern reaches, ie Canadian Prairies, have the block heater inside the engine, not installed as an accessory mounted on the dash.

Wikipedia entry on engine block heaters: "A block heater warms an engine to increase the starting speed of the vehicle as well as warm up the vehicle faster than it normally would in cold weather. The most common type is an electric heating element connected through a power cord often routed through the vehicle's grille. The block heater may replace one of the engine's core plugs, or may be installed in line with one of the radiator or heater hoses"

I just know, when I see a car with a plug hanging out the front grille, it's going to have a license plate from Saskatchewan or Manitoba!

[js]

Originally Posted by Golf4283

I have a remote start so I start it up and let it warm up for 10-15 minutes. then it's nice and toasty when I get in it. I know it's bad for the environment but I'd rather be comfortable.

I'm sure you wondered if you would get backlash for saying this but I just want to say "back at ya!" I do the same thing! I HATE the cold and before I shut my car off once I get home, I put the heat all the way up and the defroster if there is a chance of snow/ice.

Stay Warm!