Idling + air con = bad?

Imy

Imy

Imy

Soldato
Joined
21 Nov 2005
Posts
2,773
Location
Warwickshire, UK
I've not been sleeping well the last few days so I decided to take a nap in my car this lunchtime. It was very hot in there (even with the windows down) so I decided to just keep them up and turn the air con on.

Not bothered about the fuel consumption but would doing the above for 40 minutes or so damage the car in any way?
 
Don't quote me 100%, but isn't idling for extended periods of time actually against the law?
 
Hxc said:
Don't quote me 100%, but isn't idling for extended periods of time actually against the law?
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It definitely is in Germany and I think it is in the UK.

OP, idling is really bad for the engine, as there is no air passing over it to cool it apart from when the fans kick in.
 
MilanoChris said:
It definitely is in Germany and I think it is in the UK.

OP, idling is really bad for the engine, as there is no air passing over it to cool it apart from when the fans kick in.
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Not sure if that law applies when you're not on a public road (I was in work's car park) although got to admit, I didn't know about that one!

I did keep an eye on the oil temp guage to make sure it didn't overheat but don't know how reliable that is as a measure. Don't engines run at their best when warm anyway?
 
AFAIK (tho again don't quote me on it) idling for extended periods of time is only illegal if the vehicle is unattended (not sure if being asleep counts there).
 
Imy said:
Not sure if that law applies when you're not on a public road (I was in work's car park) although got to admit, I didn't know about that one!

I did keep an eye on the oil temp guage to make sure it didn't overheat but don't know how reliable that is as a measure. Don't engines run at their best when warm anyway?
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I'd be surprised if you have an oil temp gauge in your car, it's probably the water temp. TBH, I doubt idling for ages once warm would do any damage to a regular car.
 
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Rroff said:
AFAIK (tho again don't quote me on it) idling for extended periods of time is only illegal if the vehicle is unattended (not sure if being asleep counts there).
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After someone mentioned it on here I tried to find as much info on it as possible and it seems to be split into 2 applicable laws. One is the one you mention and the other comes under anti-pollution laws and is typically a fixed penalty.
 
Interesting one, technically speaking are you in control of a motor vehicle whilst asleep? Could be an interesting set of points on your licence.
 
I didn't actually fall asleep - kept looking at the (not) oil temp guage.

So you'd get done even with the handbrake on and clearly parked up?
 
People have been done in the past for sleeping drunk in a car with the car keys.

I'm really not sure how it would work in this case, interested to find out though.
 
I spent lunch times last year for 2 weeks in my car, running with air con on for about 40 mins, nothing broke >_<

Was again works carpark, shame they didn't have a lunch room, being on secondment was fun though, even if it was like an episode of league of gentlemen :)
 
If you're at the wheel then you are in control of the car - if you are sleeping then you're clearly not, so yea you could be done!

If on private property then it's probably ok though.
 
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