AIBU to leave my engine running for ten mins at 6.45 each morning (M-F)?

[ThreeJumpersIsNotEnough]

Neighbours have just come to the door with a Christmas card and a polite request to be more quiet in the mornings.

I usually leave at 7am to drop dd at breakfast club and get myself to work at 8am (I work Mon-Fri only - no weekends).

Now it's getting colder, the car is unbearably cold in the mornings so last week I started nipping out 10-15 mins earlier while dd was brushing her teeth so the car would be warm for us getting in and the frost/ice would be mostly melted from the window.

Neighbours have revealed that they are normally woken by me leaving most mornings at 7am but they can put up with it as I leave immediately so they are able to go back to sleep. However, they are not willing to put up with what I've been doing recently as they have found it impossible to go back to sleep having been awake for so long waiting for me to leave with the engine running ...

They have suggested I park further away from the house.

This is my first winter with these neighbours. They only moved in beginning of the year and we're polite to each other but not any more than 'hello' acquaintances. We live very rurally - just our two houses - in woodland area. Any noise carries and it is mostly silent (why I moved here - now I'm the one being a noise pest, it would appear). No street lights. 5 minute drive down our landlord's private (god awful road) onto the public road where there are other houses.

If I parked further away, that is further for me and DD to walk to the car each morning - in the pitch black - with our bags. Likewise, it is further for us to walk to the house each evening when we get back.

Not sure what the solution is. I told them I wasn't keen to park farther away (due to the above concerns) but they've asked me to give it a try at least for tomorrow. I've agreed to try it.

AIBU to ask for your ideas on what a peaceful resolution to this would be?

How often is it icey where you live?
I wear warm clothes and scrape the majority of the ice off and wait a couple of minutes whilst the window de-mists.
On cold, but not frosty days, I wrap up and set off straight away.
You are being very selfish.

Had no idea it was illegal!

Think I owe my neighbours a big apology here on this.

YABU. Really inconsiderate and a waste of fuel. It's winter; it's cold. Deal with it. You'll warm up after a few minutes in the car.

Don't leave the engine running. YRBVU.

Put hat and gloves on.

It is illegal to run your engine to de-ice and warm up your car unfortunately, and at that hour particularly so.
Of course you have to start the engine,and de-ice, so it’s not easy.
I used to find a large heavy tartan picnic blanket was the best thing to keep the snow and ice off my car, it only blew off about once, but was great, I’d whip the thing off and almost drive away.
If your car is cold and the heater not great,like mine at the moment, see if a radiator flush will help, although I’m going to try the bottle of additive first, not a proper flush, as I wouldn’t know how.
Bottle available on line and in Halfords. My heater works, and blows, but is much less warm than last year I’ve noticed.

I’m with your neighbours. They have asked you politely and explained that you disturb them everyday. Doesn’t matter if they e been there for 10 weeks or 10 years.

Being cold for 10 minutes will not kill you.

Ahh how I look forward to another ten pages of people not reading ops update and telling her she is unreasonable

Are you on a public road or private driveway? What do they expect you to do if your window is steamed up or frozen? Pouring water on your windscreen isn’t recommended and can leave your insurance void should your windscreen crack.

Perhaps my windows are extremely sound proof but I most certainly cannot hear neighbours engines outside whilst in bed.

If you need to de-ice your windscreen so you can see I don’t see the problem.
Is there anywhere you could park were you wouldn’t be disturbing anyone or are your neighbours suggesting you disturb someone else instead?

Yabu. But I do sympathise!

Now it's getting colder, the car is unbearably cold in the mornings

Seriously??? Even -10 isn't 'unbearably cold' - the heater blows out warm air after 3 or 4 minutes and your coat/hat/gloves will keep you warm enough until then.

Unless this is a reverse, and you're the neighbour? I really struggle to believe that anybody can be as selfish as you are but then ask if YABU.

Yes take a hot water bottle each

Here's a question tho, even if i pour tepid water on DH's windscreen the inside always mists up.... his fan is really ineffective and it can take 15 mins to demist his windscreen. How do i clear this without running the engine/fan?

How about a hot water bottle each? Just keep it on your lap and it will stop you getting that horrible bone chilling cold feeling.

We're north of Scotland. It's been very cold and frosty recently. I'll try the jug of water tomorrow and pack a few blankets for DD til the engine heats up. Would love to have a car where the heaters work after just three mins! Mine is at least ten minutes to get there or the fans just blow ice cold air at you.

Thanks all for pointing out how unreasonable I have indeed been.

Yabu to idle the car, and they have asked politely, and you need to be on good terms with your neighbours. Get a windscreen cover and warm clothes, and some handwarmers for your daughter.

Hot water bottles also a very good idea!

You're really lucky. I'd have arranged for your car to be stollen and you wouldn't be insured.

Yes you do owe your neighbours an apology.

It isn't freezing, it's very cold. You'll both cope. There's people getting busses to work at that time in the morning.

good idea to have blankets in the car.
for misty inside you get a leather sponge to wipe off.

Minions - get a special cloth to wipe the inside.

I do hot water bottles, which I refill for the homeward journey too. Lovely and snuggly on my lap!

It isn't freezing, it's very cold.

Surely that depends where you live? It's been down to freezing where I am.

Op you know you've been unreasonable.

Blankets in car and maybe make hot water bottles to take out with you?

YANBU, it’s both much more comfortable to get into a warm and, it’s better for the long term ‘health’ of the car. (Especially if it’s a diesel)

10 minutes of engine noise is hardly throwing a party a midnight, sounds a lot like moaning for the sake of it. But, one option yet to be mentioned, have you thought about installing in an engine warmer? You can warm everything up with a timer, including the engine which again, is good for the car. A bit of a cost, but long term a worthwhile investment..

Everyone is very cold when they first get in the car. That's life, unfortunately. I always take my hot water bottle to use til the car warms up.

I understand its illegal to leave the engine running (such as when waiting for someone for more than a few minutes) but surely this isn't the case for deicing?

I have to run my car engine for a good 5 minutes (whilst sitting in it) to remove the condensation inside. If I wipe it off it marks the screen and makes it hard to see.