Re: 'idling offence'
 

Yet another Daily Mail scaremongering story. Yes indeed, motorists could be fined for leaving their engines idling. Just as they could have been since 2002 when the law was introduced. But does anyone know of anybody (apart from taxi drivers, who the legislation is mainly aimed at) who's been fined for the offence in those seven years?

To be honest I'd be surprised if anyone even knew of a taxi driver who'd been fined for it.

Re: 'idling offence'
 

The Mail taking speculation based upon a law that's been in force for 7 years and reporting it as fact?

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Yup, you should leave it to idle for a good minute when it's very cold to allow the oil to circulate. Never rev a cold diesel hard as it wears them very very easily.

I have to be very careful myself this winter as I will be doing shorter than normal journeys, as my friend lives just a mile away who I visit most days.

I'd love to know how they worked that one out...

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Ever heard of Shank's pony? Very environmentally friendly.

Re: 'idling offence'
 

.[/QUOTE]

thats because a cold engine can use 2-3 times as much fuel to start as it would idling

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Would you like to walk in the freezing cold and pouring rain if you have a car available? Doubt it ;)

Absolute rubbish. Yes a cold engine uses more fuel, but not that much more. A modern engine will use a little more fuel for just a few minutes when cold, then it returns to normal. It won't do it if the engine is already warm though.

My car being mechanical injection diesel won't use any more fuel cold as it does when warm. Modern common rail injection engines might though, but I highly doubt it with the level of computer calculations involved.

Re: 'idling offence'
 

When I'm bored and sitting behind one of them vans at the lights. I usually call it up and tell them how he's cutting up the traffic and everything :)

---------- Post added at 23:51 ---------- Previous post was at 23:47 ----------

Who's going to be doing the walking the streets and fining people? are these new job vacancies?

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Are these the same people who will fine us when they catch us driving dangerously down the street unable to see through misted-up windows?

Or is that a different lot?

Re: 'idling offence'
 

There *are* other ways of clearing your windows...

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Other than repeatedly wiping them with a demister cloth? It's a long reach to the rear side windows in some cars...

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Do you even need those windows clear when stationary? You certainly don't when parked.

Re: 'idling offence'
 

And that's a reason for driving with windows which you can't see out of, because....?

Oh the hardship.......:geez:

Re: 'idling offence'
 

I need clear windows to look over my shoulder to check that the blind spots are clear of traffic before moving off and to check over my shoulder for traffic on the main road when filtering onto it or when changing lanes on crowded roads.

That's why IMHO it's safer to let the car warm up (enough for the windows to stay clear after I wipe them) before driving off. ;)

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Oh dear, if 'idling' becomes an offence half our MP's and Lords will face prosecution.... :D

Re: 'idling offence'
 

Oh FFS, if you don't know how to de-mist ya windows, you're doing something very very wrong. ALL cars by law have to have heating settings that can de-mist a window in around 60 seconds. Commonly, it involves turning the 2 or 3 heat switches on to a position where the icon is the heat arrows snaking towards the windscreen. If you can't see where your mirrors are, windows down, windows up usually works.