Tuesday 7th January 2003

Defrosting Cars Stolen

Seven cars stolen in Manchester yesterday as motorists leave cars defrosting

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[TUS 373]

Stupidity tax - cars have keys for a very good reason - security!

[sparks]

Some people are such muppets!

This happens every year and still people do it.

Brings the Darwin awards to mind.....


Sparks

[RichB]

Over in Dubai last year for a business meeting and the guy I was with suggested lunch. His "boy" (if you go there you know what I mean) went and got his 7 Series and parked it at the front of the offices. We went down and outside his car was parked unlocked with the engine running - to give the air-con time to have an effect! Thing is no one would nick it because i) Rich Arabs probably have a fleet of them to use as taxis ii) Poor Arabs wouldn't risk it! iii) ex-pats Brits/Indians wouldn't risk deportation. How nice to live in such a safe environment! Rich...

[apache]

I saw some with remote starting over there which is really odd, I'd just come out of a restaurant with some pals, walked past an old Chevvy when it's lights came on, door locks popped, and the engine started up, we were wondering what the hell was going on when this Ra....., er, Arab came out, climbed in and drove off, kinda cool we thought

[DennisTheMenace]

Your TVR leads a hard life then Ted

[james]

You can get remote starting on various cars over here. It's an optional feature on quite a few alarm systems. They're quite clever though, as the car starts up (without the key, obviously), but you can't drive off until you insert the key.

Clever eh?

[Bodo]

Try remote controlled preheating without having to go out nor having to park the car near an AC socket:

www.eberspaecher.com
www.webasto.com

[joust]

I did the X5 this morning by first using the aux vent circuit on the timer and then getting in the car, starting it, locking the doors, opening the driver door, and re-locking it with the spare key. Result one car locked with it's keys in it.

Problem is that they could have smashed the door to get in though and drive away, so I never leave it out of sight for more than a few seconds (just sit inside the kitchen watching it....)

J

[BIF]

I seem to recall that in the distant and dark past that Volvo, those sold in very old climates were fitted with a small parafin heater in the engine compartment with an auto timer, ie set the clock and get into a nice warm car ! and that must have been 20 years ago
B

[Fatboy]

See bodo's links - a nice modern version with remote control!

Edited to add: BTW Bodo, how much did the pre-heater cost you, I think I'll get one instead of the electric jobby if they're not too much more...

>> Edited by Fatboy on Wednesday 8th January 10:45

[Bodo]

Fatboy said:
Edited to add: BTW Bodo, how much did the pre-heater cost you, I think I'll get one instead of the electric jobby if they're not too much more...

I got the Eberspächer heavy duty 5kW (needs to warm up 350kgs of finest British cast iron ) for £500-ish complete with automatic clock. The remote control was an extra £200, but it's worth the money, because I don't have fixed depature times, and it even works long distances in built-up areas.

At 0°C it takes 15min heat the cooling fluid to 75°C and an extra 10min to de-ice the screen, and to heat up the interior

Another advantage is, that you don't have to have cold starts, which cause relative much wear to the engine.

They work with fuel from the car's own tank, and they're available diesel or petrol. However some countries allow to have an extra tank fitted to supply it with cheaper heating oil; but I don't know if it's worth the trouble as it uses only 0.2litre per warm-up.

BMW/Audi/VW/Merc offer it as an optional extra AFAIK.

Bodo

[SGirl]

IIRC in Sweden (the north, at least) they have these things in car parks that look like parking meters, except you plug your car into them at night and when you come out in the morning your car is all nicely warmed up and ready to go. A seriously good idea in places where you're guaranteed extremely cold conditions for at least 5 months of the year - perhaps a bit much for the UK market though!

[plotloss]

BIF said: I seem to recall that in the distant and dark past that Volvo, those sold in very old climates were fitted with a small parafin heater in the engine compartment with an auto timer, ie set the clock and get into a nice warm car ! and that must have been 20 years ago
B

Yep!

Land Rover has just brought it back as an option for the Discovery and as standard fitment on the Range Rover.

If I go the 4x4 route then its an absolute essential as far as I am concerned.

Matt.

[madcop]

I have a system in my Police vehicle that allows me to remove the key with the engine running and lock the car. It is an offence to do so only on a road, not a private driveway. The best idea is to eat your breakfast while sitting in the car as it warms up (a mug of steming tea tends to have an adverse effect) or buy some de-icer or a car cover.

I can leave my police car engine running and the car secure.
If anyone tried to get in and drive it, the system stalls the engine when it is put in gear and drive is applied or foot on the footbrake pedal also cuts the engine. I don't think it is an expensive system to have otherwise it would not be fitted!

[Fatboy]

SGirl said:IIRC in Sweden (the north, at least) they have these things in car parks that look like parking meters, except you plug your car into them at night and when you come out in the morning your car is all nicely warmed up and ready to go. A seriously good idea in places where you're guaranteed extremely cold conditions for at least 5 months of the year - perhaps a bit much for the UK market though!

I fitted one of those to my ex's car a couple of years ago - only cost about £130 - quite a bit cheaper than Bodo's system, but with the inconvinience of needing an AC socket to power it. It's a great idea for any climate, as as was previously stated having one fitted means you never start your engine from cold, when most wear occurs, and your fuel economy jumps considerably!

Cheers for that Bodo, must find out what their base model costs (it's only got to heat my Mini's A-series ), looks like a great investment. I'm definately fitting a pre-heater (Mini's are tricky little buggers to start in the cold ), it's just whether it's electric or fuel based...

>> Edited by Fatboy on Wednesday 8th January 12:26

[Marcos maniac]

madcop said: I have a system in my Police vehicle that allows me to remove the key with the engine running and lock the car. It is an offence to do so only on a road, not a private driveway. The best idea is to eat your breakfast while sitting in the car as it warms up (a mug of steming tea tends to have an adverse effect) or buy some de-icer or a car cover.

I can leave my police car engine running and the car secure.
If anyone tried to get in and drive it, the system stalls the engine when it is put in gear and drive is applied or foot on the footbrake pedal also cuts the engine. I don't think it is an expensive system to have otherwise it would not be fitted!

I use a four legged deterrent to keep my motor safe whilst de-frosting engine running, unlocked and a great big German Shephard on the back seat

[tvradict]

I've had to defrost the Works Transit the last two 3 mornings. It's easy, Friday night I swiped the spare key from the yard and now keep it in my pocket.

Get up 7.00am, set kettle to boil and put bread in toaster. Go out to Van with a jug of hot TAP water, pour over windscreen. Move van from parking space to bottom of Garden (about 300 yards.) leave engine running and blowers off (blowing cold air over a cold windscreen kinda defeats the object ) get out and lock van using spare. Walk the 50 yards up the garden and have breakfast, make up flask and get ready for work. 15 minutes later, engine is warm, put HOT blowers on Full for 5 minutes, jobs a goddun.

Warming up an empty Transit isn't easy though!

[miniman]

Madcop - what reason is your system fitted for? Presumably not just for getting the car (van?) warmed up?

I guess it's so you can keep the engine running to get moving quicker if you're in a hurry - like when you spy hertsbiker whizzing past???

[gnomesmith]

I wish some kind PHer would steal the bloody Fiesta diesel that is currently warming up beneath my bedroom window and keeping me awake.

[jeff m]

Remote starters
They are quite common in the US.
Madcop's thingy in his police car sounds as though it is very similar. (altough it dosen't actually start the car)
They only fit then to Auto trans cars with FI. That could be because the clutch has to be deprssed for starting on most manuals, and carbed cars often need some pedal encouragement.
There are also extra options that can added like AC on or rear window on etc.
Jeff