Idling question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 368
Likes: 164
Idling question
I have a strange garage situation, where I park three cars one behind the other. The C7 is in the middle, with the DD behind it, by the garage door. When I want to drive the C7, I move the DD out, then move the the C7 out, and then put the DD back in the garage. Moving the C7 takes about one minute, and the question is, is it better to leave the C7 running for several minutes, while I move the DD back (and maybe wait for my wife to come out) or to shut down the C7 after bringing it out of the garage, and then restart it in a few minutes? The other option is to move the DD, and wait in the C7 for the wife, then start and move the C7, and leave it running (or not) while I put the DD back in the garage. Am I over-thinking this? (I can't leave the DD on the street as the community doesn't allow street parking.) 
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Collingwood ON
I have a strange garage situation, where I park three cars one behind the other. The C7 is in the middle, with the DD behind it, by the garage door. When I want to drive the C7, I move the DD out, then move the the C7 out, and then put the DD back in the garage. Moving the C7 takes about one minute, and the question is, is it better to leave the C7 running for several minutes, while I move the DD back (and maybe wait for my wife to come out) or to shut down the C7 after bringing it out of the garage, and then restart it in a few minutes? The other option is to move the DD, and wait in the C7 for the wife, then start and move the C7, and leave it running (or not) while I put the DD back in the garage. Am I over-thinking this? (I can't leave the DD on the street as the community doesn't allow street parking.)
If not, let it idle and get hot. Perhaps get some of the moisture out of the pipes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
You are probably overthinking this but let me ask, how safe is your community? Is there any history of car thefts? I live in a northern clime where some people will start their car and leave idling until the car warms while they wait inside. Every year we hear about some poor sap who lost his vehicle to someone lying in wait.
If not, let it idle and get hot. Perhaps get some of the moisture out of the pipes.
If not, let it idle and get hot. Perhaps get some of the moisture out of the pipes.
My thoughts exactly!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 10
From: Cumming GA
On order: Torch Red Z51
I'm going to inject a different thought here. I've always been trained that the most wear during engine run time is the 1st moments after it's started and while warming up, getting the oil flowing freely and the various parts that are rubbing together up to normal operating temps. If there's any truth in that then maybe you should evaluate your parking situation. Just my 6 bits 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 981
Likes: 157
You should check your local laws. In some places it's a misdemeanor to leave a vehicle running when you're not in it, even if you're only stepping away for a moment.
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
"It also states the parking brake must be set (does anyone really do this?) and the wheels must be turned to the curb if the vehicle is left on a grade.
"Since the law does not specifically exclude private property from this statute, you can be cited for leaving the car running in your very own driveway."
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
"It also states the parking brake must be set (does anyone really do this?) and the wheels must be turned to the curb if the vehicle is left on a grade.
"Since the law does not specifically exclude private property from this statute, you can be cited for leaving the car running in your very own driveway."
Last edited by WelderGuy; Dec 13, 2014 at 09:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Stunningly, when I asked USAA if they’d cover a theft under those conditions, they said yes (that was years ago, perhaps they have changed their viewpoint). In my opinion, they should refuse the claim, there’s no excuse for it and furthermore, it’s bad for the engine to idle like that, drive moderately after starting and then go about your business and the engine will be better served.
And great mileage idling, aka 0.
As to the OPs question, limiting cold idle time is a good idea but one can overdo it. Don
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
You should check your local laws. In some places it's a misdemeanor to leave a vehicle running when you're not in it, even if you're only stepping away for a moment.
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 22
From: Northern New Jersey
We warm cars up all the time around here. Don't all new Vettes have remote start? Thats the reason for it. It can't be stolen, if the doors are locked and none of the electronics work without the key fob. The law in Ohio is ridiculous. Government intrusion at it's finest.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,474
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
We warm cars up all the time around here. Don't all new Vettes have remote start? Thats the reason for it. It can't be stolen, if the doors are locked and none of the electronics work without the key fob. The law in Ohio is ridiculous. Government intrusion at it's finest.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 126
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque NM
First, I wish I had three cars or a garage that would hold them. 
Personally I would start BOTH cars first and then move as necessary.
As for the theft question, can't you just lock the doors?
Personally I would start BOTH cars first and then move as necessary.
As for the theft question, can't you just lock the doors?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,947
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
I have a strange garage situation, where I park three cars one behind the other. The C7 is in the middle, with the DD behind it, by the garage door. When I want to drive the C7, I move the DD out, then move the the C7 out, and then put the DD back in the garage. Moving the C7 takes about one minute, and the question is, is it better to leave the C7 running for several minutes, while I move the DD back (and maybe wait for my wife to come out) or to shut down the C7 after bringing it out of the garage, and then restart it in a few minutes? The other option is to move the DD, and wait in the C7 for the wife, then start and move the C7, and leave it running (or not) while I put the DD back in the garage. Am I over-thinking this? (I can't leave the DD on the street as the community doesn't allow street parking.)
My practice is to drive the Vette about 10 miles at least when I start it up, but from time to time I also have to take it out of the garage and put in back. I shut it down in-between.
I remind my wife that her dry sump SUV is also a problem when she uses it to visit a neighbor a very short distance away. We live 16 miles from town, so in general not a problem for either car.
I use my street rod mostly for local shows. It doesn’t run for months. I never pull it out of the garage (to get to a ladder etc.) unless I drive it 10 to 15 miles!
Just my thoughts.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,360
Likes: 1,683
From: South Carolina
You should check your local laws. In some places it's a misdemeanor to leave a vehicle running when you're not in it, even if you're only stepping away for a moment.
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
"It also states the parking brake must be set (does anyone really do this?) and the wheels must be turned to the curb if the vehicle is left on a grade.
"Since the law does not specifically exclude private property from this statute, you can be cited for leaving the car running in your very own driveway."
Ohio is one such place. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-...llegal-in-ohio
"In other words, anyone who leaves a running vehicle unattended, even if he or she is just stepping away while it warms up, can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $150 fine for omitting to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the keys (emergency vehicles exempt).
"It also states the parking brake must be set (does anyone really do this?) and the wheels must be turned to the curb if the vehicle is left on a grade.
"Since the law does not specifically exclude private property from this statute, you can be cited for leaving the car running in your very own driveway."
To the OP if you crank it then run it to temperature unless you're going to drive within a few minutes anyway...imo
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,360
Likes: 1,683
From: South Carolina
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
The issue isn’t just about C7s, all sorts of cars are run unattended in the winter, use a tool and the thief is inside in a heartbeat. Don