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Original poster

Is this normal for a stationary car? Help!

59 replies

worries101 · 01/12/2023 09:47

This week I’ve been running the car for 5 mins before taking the baby out to nursery in it, so that the windscreen defrosts and car warms up for her. I’ve noticed that when I go back out to it, the area around the car smells strong of exhaust fumes. Is this normal or something wrong with the car? I’ve never let it run like that before having DD and only do it for a few mins to warm up before we get in. Worried!

OP posts:
ameliameerkat · 01/12/2023 11:08

Surely you can just scrape the windows?! Then it doesn't need to be sat running stationary for so long....

EBearhug · 01/12/2023 13:09

I scrape my windows - that doesn't stop the inside steaming up, and that's the bit that makes it difficult to see out. I find seeing out quite important when driving.

WillowCraft · 01/12/2023 13:15

This is why it's illegal to idle your engine. I suggest putting an old curtain over the windscreen overnight to keep the ice off. Your baby doesn't need a warm car. They soon warm up in their car seat anyway.

SoddingWeddings · 01/12/2023 13:15

This is actually illegal - it's called quitting the vehicle.

It's also a great way to get your car stolen and your insurance to refuse to pay out....

Don't recommend you do this! Find a better and safer way to deal with it.

WillowCraft · 01/12/2023 13:18

It's far easier just to walk with your baby in a pram, depending on distance obviously. Then you can put them in a warm suit. I would seriously consider that option if you're going somewhere within 45 minutes walk.

LIZS · 01/12/2023 13:27

Damp static air will hold the fumes and air polluting emissions at a lower level for longer.

Frabbits · 01/12/2023 14:14

ohtowinthelottery · 01/12/2023 10:47

@Frabbits I'm intrigued at how you could do that. It's -5°C here this morning. Everyone ran their engines whilst scraping the ice off their cars and letting their windscreens clear. If they'd all "got in and driven off " there'd have been carnage.
And I'm in the Midlands not the North of Scotland.

Show quote history

Well, fairly obviously you scrape your windscreen manually first, but there is no need to sit and idle for 5-10 minutes. Scrape, blast for maybe 30 seconds to demist and off you go.

sixteenfurryfeet · 01/12/2023 14:21

pinkyredrose · 01/12/2023 10:13

It's actually illegal to keep your engine running while the car is stationary.

No it isn't. It is illegal to leave the engine idling for ages, but that doesn't include having the engine running for a couple of minutes so you can defrost it on a freezing morning.

Jules912 · 01/12/2023 14:42

Can't say I've noticed but I'm waiting inside the car as a) I don't want it stolen and b) I want to get off as soon as the windscreen is clear. When my kids were tiny I just put their coat or a blanket over them once they were strapped in.
Just to check, you're not doing this in a garage or similar enclosed space as that can cause the fumes to build up and is actually very dangerous.

SoddingWeddings · 01/12/2023 14:43

sixteenfurryfeet · 01/12/2023 14:21

No it isn't. It is illegal to leave the engine idling for ages, but that doesn't include having the engine running for a couple of minutes so you can defrost it on a freezing morning.

Show quote history

Actually, it does if you go off and leave it running. If your behind the wheel at the time, it's fine unless you're in a zoned area which prohibits this.

DoIReallyNeedToDoThis · 01/12/2023 14:49

In 30 years of driving I’ve never needed the engine running to clear a car windscreen. I live halfway up a mountain and even thick ice can be cleared with a decent scraper and some de icer.

These days I stick a thermal cover on the windscreen and do no scraping at all.

ohtowinthelottery · 01/12/2023 15:01

DoIReallyNeedToDoThis · 01/12/2023 14:49

In 30 years of driving I’ve never needed the engine running to clear a car windscreen. I live halfway up a mountain and even thick ice can be cleared with a decent scraper and some de icer.

These days I stick a thermal cover on the windscreen and do no scraping at all.

@DoIReallyNeedToDoThis Does the inside of your windscreen never freeze up? Mine does and it takes more than a quick blast of the blower to clear it.

Squirrelsbite · 01/12/2023 15:13

Don’t be surprised when your car gets pinched and your insurance won’t pay out

Janinejones · 01/12/2023 15:19

Stop nagging the OP if you can't help her.

Danascully2 · 01/12/2023 15:38

I want to know what car has a windscreen which clears with a quick 30 second blast...

Maybe fancier cars than my no frills 1 litre basic model have better windscreen heaters?

As per a pp I find being able to see out of the windscreen quite helpful when driving and it takes a while with the engine on to demist. I normally scrape the car while it's clearing to keep warm...

DoIReallyNeedToDoThis · 01/12/2023 15:41

ohtowinthelottery · 01/12/2023 15:01

@DoIReallyNeedToDoThis Does the inside of your windscreen never freeze up? Mine does and it takes more than a quick blast of the blower to clear it.

Show quote history

I don’t recall it freezing inside no. Car is 18 years old and all the fancy bits are in the engine. No heated seats or steering wheels etc.

Allfur · 01/12/2023 15:48

Can't baby just wear a coat

Allfur · 01/12/2023 15:54

How do you warm up the air when you take baby out in a push chair

SoddingWeddings · 01/12/2023 16:23

ohtowinthelottery · 01/12/2023 15:01

@DoIReallyNeedToDoThis Does the inside of your windscreen never freeze up? Mine does and it takes more than a quick blast of the blower to clear it.

Show quote history

It shouldn't be doing that - the inside of your car is damp. Get that sorted and you don't need to do it anymore. I've had decades of elderly damp cars with crap heating (one winter of no fucking heating and driving with the windows down due to being skint) but reusable bags to soak up the excess water in the car cured the problem. It's not necessarily a leak, usually things like wet coats getting in and out the car, wet dogs, the usual.

I use Pingi bags (other brands available!) - they colour change to show when they are wet, you microwave them to dry them out again and just chuck back in the car. Absolutely worth every penny.

SoupDragon · 01/12/2023 16:40

Allfur · 01/12/2023 15:48

Can't baby just wear a coat

Not in a car seat.

Allfur · 01/12/2023 17:08

Extra layers? Blanket?

Shade17 · 01/12/2023 17:12

In answer to your question OP, yes it’s completely normal. The car runs rich on a cold start along with a slightly raised idle. This normally happens for the first couple of mins.

I’ve a heavily modified car which is mapped to run rich for safety reasons, it smells like that most of the time, I’ve had people comment on it who’ve been following. That and the massive flames 🤣🤣🤣

WhatNoUsername · 01/12/2023 17:13

If the cars on your drive I'd be more concerned (than it being illegal) that the car will be stolen and because you've left it unattended with keys in it you won't be insured.

I'd also be more worried about the fumes your baby is breathing in than them being cold for a few moments. Cars heat up pretty quickly.

WhatNoUsername · 01/12/2023 17:14

HollowEgg · 01/12/2023 10:48

If it’s an electric car you have a problem.

😂😂😂😂

Growingoutthegrey · 01/12/2023 17:15

If your car is diesel it could be doing a regen, where it tries to burn off all the built up carbon. If you aren't giving it a proper run where it can do this, it will be doing it on your drive.

Bad for the engine and worse for your lungs. Take it for a good run on the motorway.

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