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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

801 replies

ThreeJumpersIsNotEnough · 16/12/2018 17:21

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 ... Hmm

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?

OP posts:
Hector2000 · 17/12/2018 18:16

Totally unreasonable. Fall on your sword, OP, and make a profuse apology.

clarepetal · 17/12/2018 18:16

How about taking hot water bottles and having them on your lap to keep you warm? You can get de icer in most pound shops which will get rid of the ice, problem solved. I think that's the best idea, you stay warm, de ice the car and not disturb the neighbours x

HmmGrey · 17/12/2018 18:16

Similar to you, I leave for work at 7 to get there for 8. I drop DD off at nursery as well. I defrost my car with tepid water and DD has fluffy a blanket to keep her warm. I agree it sometimes bitterly cold but I’ll still set off within an minute. I’m cold for the first 5-10 but you just have to suck it up. We’re an end of terrace but have neighbours both sides, I wouldn’t dream of sitting in my car for 10-15 mins with the engine running.

Maybe try a windscreen cover and have a large hot drink before leaving. I wouldn’t park further away but definitely stop leaving the engine running.

JacquesHammer · 17/12/2018 18:17

*Ever heard cows going to be milked at 5am

Tractors, quads and land rovers at 5am

Country life can be very loud at the very early hours*

Yeah...I’ve heard none of that in the 10 years I’ve been here!

If your tired then go to sleep......

I don’t often say this but if you’re going to call other people dimwits...

Wonkypalmtree · 17/12/2018 18:18

Put your coats inside out on the radiator by the door then they are super warm to wear, Use tepid water on the ice on car and go.

nyu82 · 17/12/2018 18:18

We live in a bungalow and our bedroom faces out to where the neighbours garage used to be..they have knocked that down to have a longer drive so now park right outside our window. They have been leaving the cars engines running for the same reasons you are so we have had to tell them not to . I am asthmatic and the fumes were making me ill..I also have chronic insomnia and sometimes cant get to sleep until after 6 so waking up after just half an hour was hell.
We are now going to move our bedroom to the front at some expense because we dont want to have to risk future nuisance. Some people just dont think.

nannygoat50 · 17/12/2018 18:18

Just do t leave your engine running. Cars soon warm up and it won’t hurt to get into it cold as most of us do

acegod · 17/12/2018 18:20

I'll solve the issue for you. Its the cold and your lazy. But dont worry the solution is below:

Buy this: www.ebay.co.uk/i/142936863613?chn=ps
Buy this too: bit.ly/2EAHXNv
Wear thermal jumpers and socks and keep an hot water bottle.

You might be cheaper to get the item on ebay I didnt look around just saw the 1st thing and copied the link here.

Dont be selfish and leave the car running and dont bother your neighbours be considerate.

For deicer, try alcohol or vinegar or just d40 on your windows it helps stopping ice forming, For your mirrors put a old sock over it stops iceing up. Change your water to -20 you can buy from halfords.

see link: www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/screenwash-de-icer/halfords--20-concentrated-screenwash-5l-citrus

you can get cheaper at the shop.

also put anitfreeze in car you suppose to change it every 2 years anyway:

www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/antifreeze/halfords-oat-ready-mixed-antifreeze-2-litres

You can get the cheaper at holfords.

You wont be soo cold after you made those modification. Trust me I had a banger with no heating system and all those made it feel I had a new car with auto heating system.

RedneckOrigional · 17/12/2018 18:20

Not unreasonable at all, far safer to drive a properly demisted and comfortable car, provided your car is in reasonable condition, no blowing exhausts making more noise than typical, I'd ignore them and get on with your life, if they complain further start it earlier...

BoebePhuffay · 17/12/2018 18:21

Won’t somebody please think of the environment! And while you’re at it. RTFT!!!

MadCow999 · 17/12/2018 18:21

Yes YABU, not to mention the damage you are doing to the environment

biscuitbrown · 17/12/2018 18:24

Yes! YAB totally U!! That is such selfish behaviour and it would drive me mad. You are lucky they were so polite about it. Get some de-icer and dress appropriately for the temperature!

ArwenEdwards · 17/12/2018 18:27

You're lucky your neighbours were so polite. Some people get REALLY angry when their sleep pattern is being run by someone who is being selfish. Anyway, I'm sure by now you've heard enough of that. The person who suggested hot water bottles was giving great advice. Other than that, you going to have to do what everyone else with a frozen car does in the morning. Some people are homeless and have to SLEEP in their car so I'm sure you can cope with ten minutes of cold.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 17/12/2018 18:30

Totally unreasonable. Fall on your sword, OP, and make a profuse apology.

To be fair to the OP, she did.

grandehorizontale · 17/12/2018 18:31

I have selfish neighours who indulge in engine idling like you and it affects my mental health. I am amazed that you even need to ask this question What effect did you think it would have on your neighbours?

Riotingbananas · 17/12/2018 18:36

This is what you need to scrape the ice from your car. As for being cold, if you live in the N of Scotland, then am sure you already know how to keep warm Grin

PigletJohn · 17/12/2018 18:38

to be fair, diesel engines run colder than petrol, and take longer to warm up. Some of them also clatter noisily.

I've driven vans on frosty days that never get warm enough in the cab to take your hat and gloves off.

MrsWez · 17/12/2018 18:38

Unbelievably Unreasonable. Not to mention the environmental impact!

linds57 · 17/12/2018 18:39

No you are wrong. You have to leave diesel running longer than 30 seconds.. go check with dealship !

BaeBae · 17/12/2018 18:40

You are my idea of a neighbour from hell.

mrbreezeet1 · 17/12/2018 18:40

Is Your car Loud?
Most cars today are whisper quiet, and put out close to 0 emissions!

Doyouavocado · 17/12/2018 18:42

My neighbor occasionally does this and yes it wakes me up. I can’t begin to tell you how stabby it makes me YABVU

BoebePhuffay · 17/12/2018 18:44

All you who can hear neighbours cars idling need to invest in some double glazing.

Hector2000 · 17/12/2018 18:46

Chardonnay - agreed, she did - I only read the threads before I posted - small phone screen 🤗

Nousernamefound · 17/12/2018 18:50

Yes, we had a neighbour who did this every day at 5am and it woke us every day and drove us mad.