To think people can defrost their cars without running their engine all morning?

[shinysnowman]

I start work in a couple of hours. I have been awake since 5am, due to a steady flow of neighbours who have sat in their car with their engine running, one actually revving their engine constantly, waiting for their car to defrost. The first at 5am, each for a good 15 minutes each. It's been the same every day this week.

Don't people scrape their cars anymore? Is it wrong for me to be annoyed and think that they are being inconsiderate?

(Apologies to those with DC who are dragged up with them at this time!)

YANBU. I get on with it as quickly as I can. Generally chuck the heated windscreen on. Scrub away at the front 2 windows with a bank card, and off we go.
About 2 minutes. One of our neighbours lets their car run for 20+ minutes. When I spoke to her last week she was bewildered at the idea of getting into a cold car.

@TreestumpsAndTrampolines I find opening the front car door/s and standing on the ledge of the car frame ( IYSWIM ) rather than the ground is helpful in giving you a few more inches .

I'm not convinced about the hot water bottle. I get that it will warm the air and warm air carries more moisture. But ONE hot water bottle ?? I'll try it.

And wiping the inside of the screen just doesn't work. Not even with the most expensive chamois. It just clear the screen and sets up a smeary remist as you drive away. You don't want to move the moisture into wipe patterns. You want to get rid of it!

If you already have wipe marks use shaving foam to clean the inside and then resist the temptation to wipe it again

Are you seriously judging me because I choose to wear make up?

No. Merely stating the fact that if you have time to put make up on (which is not essential) then you have time to clear your car windows (which is essential) without either breaking the law or invalidating your car insurance.

Make up - not essential.
Clear car windscreen - essential.
Not breaking the law - essential.
Not invalidating your insurance - essential.

Just use a cover then ffs

What on earth difference does it make if you are sat in the car for a few minutes, or sat in your house for a few minutes?

SItting in the car makes it legal. Sitting in the house makes it illegal.

Oh so your SOLE concern is that someone is committing an offence on the public highway* that is enforceable (£20 fixed penalty) only if the owner refuses to switch off the engine when asked to do so by an authorised person. No other reason whatsoever?

I'm sure the police will commend you when you call them up to request they come and deal with the numerous criminals people just trying to get to work on a dark freezing morning over the coming months.

(* not me, I'm not on a public highway when I start my car)

Just use a cover then ffs Mmm! Nope! They get nicked round here! I have to park on the road... kids, drunken idiots, Smart Alecs off all sorts nick them!

Karcher window vac is a game changer for my car - still need 30s or so of engine running to lose the second lot of mist...

No. Merely stating the fact that if you have time to put make up on (which is not essential) then you have time to clear your car windows (which is essential) without either breaking the law or invalidating your car insurance.

While my body is drying, I multitask by doing hair and makeup. So I am saving myself time already. And I can guarantee you that the time it takes to do my drag queen full face of eyeliner and mascara is far less than it takes to make my car ready to drive.

And I am not breaking the law because I am using the engine necessarily, on private land, and my car is locked when I am not in it.

But as you've stated, I - a complete stranger who you neither know nor care about - is doing something illegal and that is your only concern, right? ok then.

Just use a cover then ffs

I was just remembering that I used to do this..

Mmm! Nope! They get nicked round here! I have to park on the road... kids, drunken idiots, Smart Alecs off all sorts nick them!

Until that.

Covers were great though - even had the little mits for the wing-mirrors.

The cover DH has the ends shut in the front car doors so would be hard to nick.

Thanks rhubarb, spudlet , Buzz and flouncy.

Going to try the hot water bottle and bag of warm water trick instead

Curious I tried shaving foam last winter, it streaked badly and made my visibility worse!

Amused at the thought of those of us who have never considered "walking" trawling up the grass verge of the M1 tomorrow. All that lovely fresh air.

@Apirateslifeforme yes this. A couple of minutes while you scrape, not 20 so you don't have to get into a cold car. It's 5am!!

I would also love to know how it's possible to demist the inside without turning the car on. Other than witchcraft I can't think of how this is possible.

I just put an electric fan heater inside the night before and turn it on from inside the house 15 minutes before I leave for work in the morning.

All the windows in the car get demisted/defrosted and, as a bonus, I get to sit in a lovely warm car without having to wait.

No unnecessary fumes, no noise and happy neighbours.

Tbh, my 53 year old face with no make up must be more of a social nuisance than a car running.

That sounds slightly dangerous phonelock

My car is horrendous to defrost in the mornings. I can de-ice and scrape it quite quickly but the windscreen mists up and the air vent things are so crap it can take a good 15 mins to demist enough to see clearly and drive safely. I'm sorry if that disturbs the neighbours but I'm not prepared to set off until it's clear.

That sounds slightly dangerous phonelock

It's not at all dangerous as long as you use common sense.

It's is considerate, effective and environmentally friendly though.

I tried shaving foam last winter, it streaked badly and made my visibility worse! Really? I know you have to rub hard, I use a magic sponge to get it off mirrors. But it really does work, maybe a windscreen is too difficult a shape though!

We need to tell the RAC

When I leave the house at 6.30am for another 12 hour day I look up at the windows of my lucky neighbours who don't have to stir until it's light and who don't work either. It really pisses me off AIBU?

Engine goes on, fans go on, takes less than 5 mins to demist and thaw. Car is off road. Neighbours probably can't hear it. Can you move to a better neighbourhood op? Or sleep at the back so us bastard workers don't disturb you.

A couple of minutes demisting is very different to 15 while you warm you car up and have a brew inside at 5am

I feel sorry about the polluting effects on both children and wildlife, but the fact of the matter is, de-icer is bad for the environment and does not help once you drive off, as the screen mists up while your driving which is both dangerous and against the law.

Isn't de icer poisonous?

It is illegal to have your car engine on and for you to not be in the car.

YANBU op. We have early starters here too, and it's just constant. Quite a few people use window protectors, but not the earliest risers. I wish they would.

Buy some ear plugs