Car Left Running Unattended?
Discussion
Came across a very odd one tonight and I'm trying to work out what was going on.
Running up the M5/M6 tonight and stopped at Frankley services. Parked over in the corner of the carpark and noticed a large Merc C-Class parked up next door and a Macca MP12-C the next one over (way nicer in the metal than in pictures).
The odd thing was though that the Merc had all its lights on inside and out and the engine running but no one inside or nearby. Very strange. Popped in to the services and 5/10 minutes later it was still there in the same state. Obviously I couldn't check so I don't know of it was locked or not and I could t see any keys.
Is this some odd keyless start thing or what? Or were there hidden cameras watching my every move?
What are your thoughts PH? Over to you.
Running up the M5/M6 tonight and stopped at Frankley services. Parked over in the corner of the carpark and noticed a large Merc C-Class parked up next door and a Macca MP12-C the next one over (way nicer in the metal than in pictures).
The odd thing was though that the Merc had all its lights on inside and out and the engine running but no one inside or nearby. Very strange. Popped in to the services and 5/10 minutes later it was still there in the same state. Obviously I couldn't check so I don't know of it was locked or not and I could t see any keys.
Is this some odd keyless start thing or what? Or were there hidden cameras watching my every move?
What are your thoughts PH? Over to you.
Well it wasnt a 'Bait Car' because unfortunately we're not allowed to do that in this country. They do it in the States, you mightve seen the show Bait Car, fantastic stuff. Its amazing how in some of the run down parts of America so many people just so casually jump into a running car and drive off, like hopping on a bus.
Magic919 said:
Thats interesting. I remember the last time i heard it mentioned there was some rubbish about entrapment but that was about 10 years ago to be fair.Is it just me though or is it a bit odd to announce that you'll be putting these cars in 'known car crime locations' and when you'll be doing it? Thats like Police using sirens who wonder why Police always know they're coming isnt it?
Actually im right. If you read that article properly it says they're 'equipped with video cameras and alarms to alert police if they are broken into.'
Thats not cars left running with the door open. Thats car parked and locked, like any other car would be. In America they just park it at the side of the road and leave the keys in it and the window open.
Thats not cars left running with the door open. Thats car parked and locked, like any other car would be. In America they just park it at the side of the road and leave the keys in it and the window open.
It looks like we cant do exactly what they do in America here with 'bait cars.' The ones in that BBC report were normal cars with camera's in them, locked and parked normally and the Police just have to hope thats the one they break into. In America they leave it at the roadside with the engine running and the door open, i dont think we can do that here.
They could use older cars which are easier to break into to tempt the thieves but i would assume leaving it there with the engine running could be considered 'entrapment' with the bizarre way this country works. However i reckon even if you did leave it there with the engine running the thief would most likely (in the UK at least) go 'f
k that' and move on. The clips ive seen from America are astonishing as it doesnt seem to be the career criminal type who take the cars. Mother walking two kids home from supermarket just sees it and jumps in to drive home.
They could use older cars which are easier to break into to tempt the thieves but i would assume leaving it there with the engine running could be considered 'entrapment' with the bizarre way this country works. However i reckon even if you did leave it there with the engine running the thief would most likely (in the UK at least) go 'f
k that' and move on. The clips ive seen from America are astonishing as it doesnt seem to be the career criminal type who take the cars. Mother walking two kids home from supermarket just sees it and jumps in to drive home.MarsellusWallace said:
A customer at our local BMW dealer took a new 5 series demo a few months ago and didn't understand the workings of the keyless start so ended up leaving the engine running all day in a multi storey car park while he went to do his days work.
I have always wondered how long it would take an idling car to burn through a tank of fuel. Any idea how much was left in there when they got back?I don't think bait cars would do that much these days. Most serious thieves will steal the keys, usually by breaking into a house or mugging the driver. No-one will take a car with the keys in anyway as it would be a trap. However it will soon be January sales time for car thieves, wander round in the morning and take your pick off someone's driveway, nice and warm and clear of ice too.
Slighty Off Topic..
A mate sold us a car in Florida in 2005. He went out the night before to clear crap out and see if everything worked etc etc..
Part way through, he got called in saying that 'Tea' was ready - then after 'Tea' went and watched a movie with family. Fell asleep in the chair and then went to bed.
Next morning around 10am:
Walks out and sees the drivers side door open and the engine still running. It had been like that all night.
By the time we got it, it was pretty low on fuel.
Car: 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park Station Wagon 8 Seater. (5.0 V8 RWD Estate)
A mate sold us a car in Florida in 2005. He went out the night before to clear crap out and see if everything worked etc etc..
Part way through, he got called in saying that 'Tea' was ready - then after 'Tea' went and watched a movie with family. Fell asleep in the chair and then went to bed.
Next morning around 10am:
Walks out and sees the drivers side door open and the engine still running. It had been like that all night.
By the time we got it, it was pretty low on fuel.
Car: 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park Station Wagon 8 Seater. (5.0 V8 RWD Estate)
iva cosworth said:
Could the seat have been reclined fully with a person asleep in there ?
No definitely very empty but like I said, lit up like a Christmas tree inside as well as out, all the dials, backlighters and interior lights were in.I'm leaning towards some sort of keyless entry cock up, how do those systems work? Can that really happen?
Rostfritt said:
I have always wondered how long it would take an idling car to burn through a tank of fuel. Any idea how much was left in there when they got back?
I don't think bait cars would do that much these days. Most serious thieves will steal the keys, usually by breaking into a house or mugging the driver. No-one will take a car with the keys in anyway as it would be a trap. However it will soon be January sales time for car thieves, wander round in the morning and take your pick off someone's driveway, nice and warm and clear of ice too.
I think it used a third of tank idling for 9 hours but don't quote me on that.I don't think bait cars would do that much these days. Most serious thieves will steal the keys, usually by breaking into a house or mugging the driver. No-one will take a car with the keys in anyway as it would be a trap. However it will soon be January sales time for car thieves, wander round in the morning and take your pick off someone's driveway, nice and warm and clear of ice too.
Rostfritt said:
I have always wondered how long it would take an idling car to burn through a tank of fuel. Any idea how much was left in there when they got back?
I don't think bait cars would do that much these days. Most serious thieves will steal the keys, usually by breaking into a house or mugging the driver. No-one will take a car with the keys in anyway as it would be a trap. However it will soon be January sales time for car thieves, wander round in the morning and take your pick off someone's driveway, nice and warm and clear of ice too.
I think it used a third of tank idling for 9 hours but don't quote me on that.I don't think bait cars would do that much these days. Most serious thieves will steal the keys, usually by breaking into a house or mugging the driver. No-one will take a car with the keys in anyway as it would be a trap. However it will soon be January sales time for car thieves, wander round in the morning and take your pick off someone's driveway, nice and warm and clear of ice too.
Rostfritt said:
I have always wondered how long it would take an idling car to burn through a tank of fuel.
Depends on the size of the tank and the type/size of engine.According to these guys
http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/onstreet/idli...
"It has been estimated that 3 per cent of Ontario's fuel is wasted by idling. An idling diesel engine will burn about 2.5 litres per hour. An idling gasoline engine will burn about 3.5 litres per hour. Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine."
So going off these numbers a full 80 litre petrol tank would be gone in just under 23 hours
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