Unattended Idling Car...Any Danger?

[Pattaya Spotter]

I often keep my unattended car idling while running into Sevens to pick up something I need or to keep the cool while I'm doing an errand or having a restaurant meal. It is a late model car with an immobilizer system and electronic push start system. The driver side door can not be locked while the engine is on and the car unattended. Is there any theft danger in this situation (of the car)...what happens if someone gets in and tries to drive off with it? Since they don't have the key fob, will the engine just cut-off or is it impossible to shift out of "park-brake lock" if the key fob isn't present? Obviously, if they can at least drive it to one shut-off, they would not be able to start it again, correct?

[Golden Triangle]

If you have a car as you describe above just park it at your residence in idling as in the scenario above and ask a trusted friend or family member to drive it away and see what happens.

 

Or are you thinking of getting one like you have described. ????

 

Sorry just re read your post, try my first option ????

[canthai55]

Take the key fob out of your pocket, get in, try to drive away.

It ain't rocket science

[Peterw42]

OP, they are all things you could check yourself

All the variables you mention could easily be tested by having a friend hold the fob and you try to drive away. I imagine the results could vary between different car makes and models, and in some instances may even be programable or operate differently if child lock is active etc.

[Crossy]

28 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Obviously, if they can at least drive it to one shut-off, they would not be able to start it again, correct?

 

Yes, ours works like that, you can get an awful long way before having to turn off the engine.

 

The question is of course, why would you leave it running, it takes moments to cool down again on re-entering?

 

[ballpoint]

Having a car shut down automatically when it goes out of range of the key fob is potentially dangerous, so most cars will continue to be drivable until they run out of fuel.  If the driver turns off the engine though, they won't be able to start it again.

 

 

[Lacessit]

Obviously the OP does not care about how much air pollution he causes by leaving a car idling while he attends to his needs. Running into a 7/11 may be OK for a couple of minutes, but having a restaurant meal? Spare me.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, canthai55 said:

Take the key fob out of your pocket, get in, try to drive away.

It ain't rocket science

You are right...I thought someone might already know. I could also probably just Google/YouTube it.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

 

Yes, ours works like that, you can get an awful long way before having to turn off the engine.

 

The question is of course, why would you leave it running, it takes moments to cool down again on re-entering?

 

I only leave it running if it has to be parked in the blazing sun...and not at crowded public areas. Examples like dashing into Seven or Amazon, while gassing up and going into the mini-mart (yes service stations let you keep it running during fill-ups (most)), or in a secure parking area. I wouldn't leave it on if the errand or meal was going to be longer than 30 minutes. Yes, my air-con is very efficient and even though a black color, cools down the car interior within a few minutes.

[Susco]

2 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

The driver side door can not be locked while the engine is on and the car unattended. Is there any theft danger in this situation (of the car).

 

 

Let me know where and when next time, I'll put it to the test for you.

 

What was the make and license plate again?

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

OP, they are all things you could check yourself

All the variables you mention could easily be tested by having a friend hold the fob and you try to drive away. I imagine the results could vary between different car makes and models, and in some instances may even be programable or operate differently if child lock is active etc.

My Sunday project tomorrow...will report back.

[PGSan]

18 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

So I take it you are against any car with remote engine start technology,

What is this technology? 

[JAS21]

1 minute ago, PGSan said:

What is this technology? 

It means that you can start your engine when you are not in the car. Just press a button on your remote IF your car is equipped with that facility.....

 

Google will give you a full rundown on the system if you look...

[CharlieH]

Well once upon a time, the driver got out at a family members home, went inside, left us in the car with the air con on etc. She got may be 30ft away and an alarm went off in the car, she continued into the house and the car stopped. She had the fob in her pocket.

 

The danger in your scenario, is what happens to the car/driver and anyone around it when it cuts out and the driver has no control and limited braking/steering ability. Dangerous situation if in a city centre I suggest.

[VocalNeal]

I was driving a mates Camry Hybrid. In traffic he got out for a pee in nearby bushes. As agreed I drove about 1km to a U turn and picked him up on the way back. He had the fob in his pocket and nothing happed. I was waiting for it but....nothing happend.

[Pattaya Spotter]

10 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Well once upon a time, the driver got out at a family members home, went inside, left us in the car with the air con on etc. She got may be 30ft away and an alarm went off in the car, she continued into the house and the car stopped. She had the fob in her pocket.

 

The danger in your scenario, is what happens to the car/driver and anyone around it when it cuts out and the driver has no control and limited braking/steering ability. Dangerous situation if in a city centre I suggest.

For just this reason, as someone posted, the car runs until the engine is turned off. However, without the key fob it won't start again. Some of the new "autonomous driving" cars have the ability to safely self park themselves on the road shoulder if they run out of gas/electricity. I wonder if they implement a "self shutdown" if driven off without the key fob present. 

[CharlieH]

Flame /troll posts removed.

[Swiss1960]

8 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

So I take it you are against any car with remote engine start technology, as this is used to pre-heat or pre-cool an unoccupied vehicle? I respect your POV but modern ICEs produce negligible tailpipe emissions while idling. 

First: I am not against technology at all, but all the technology has its rightful place. Pre-heat / pre-cool can be important to keep i.e. emergency vehicles in a ready-to-go state in deep winter (fire trucks) or hot summer (ambulance).

 

Second: Millions of cars running unnecessary produce significant emissions while running when stopped. Millions of selfish people who don't think beyond the tip of their nose.

 

Car Idling in modern technology terms means that the engine STOPS when the car comes to a stop and that is not what you want, since it would also stop the A/C.

 

Have you checked the air quality lately? Thanks for contributing to it...

[richard_smith237]

This has happened to my wife and I... 

 

I drop her off, the key is in her handbag. She gets out of the car and closes the door. 

The car makes a beeping noise, my wife jogs back and gives me the key. 

 

We’ve tried ‘what would happen if’.. and the car continues to drive. 

We just can’t lock the car if the key fob is not in range and can’t restart the car until the key fob is inside. 

 

So... theoretically, a thief could drive the car away. 

 

 

The ability to ‘continue to be able to drive the car’ is obviously a safety feature - no one would want their car to suddenly turn off while on the expressway or in the middle of a junction etc.

 

 

 

[NanLaew]

13 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

So I take it you are against any car with remote engine start technology, as this is used to pre-heat or pre-cool an unoccupied vehicle? I respect your POV but modern ICEs produce negligible tailpipe emissions while idling. 

 

Remote start wasn't invented so you can leave a car idling and unoccupied while you get yourself a frothy coffee or go for a pish. That's just ignorance.

 

Most all pump stations want you to turn off your engine when filling up; same as back home. Taking advantage of Thailand's attitude of falang rue-mahk and their not telling you to switch it off is just more ignorance.

 

Emissions are 0% when the engine is turned off. Claiming that modern technology equates with negligible emissions when idling is even more ignorance.

 

Have I mentioned ignorance?

[Pattaya Spotter]

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This has happened to my wife and I... 

 

I drop her off, the key is in her handbag. She gets out of the car and closes the door. 

The car makes a beeping noise, my wife jogs back and gives me the key. 

 

We’ve tried ‘what would happen if’.. and the car continues to drive. 

We just can’t lock the car if the key fob is not in range and can’t restart the car until the key fob is inside. 

 

So... theoretically, a thief could drive the car away. 

 

 

The ability to ‘continue to be able to drive the car’ is obviously a safety feature - no one would want their car to suddenly turn off while on the expressway or in the middle of a junction etc.

 

 

 

And modern day thieves know this so unless they want to strip the car for parts, it's not much use to them (other than a joy ride).

[NanLaew]

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The ability to ‘continue to be able to drive the car’ is obviously a safety feature - no one would want their car to suddenly turn off while on the expressway or in the middle of a junction etc.

 

Maybe they should?

 

OK, that endangers people with a higher IQ than the 'I must keep my car cool while I go shopping' crowd. I am all for an interlock with the pressure (weight) detector in the car drivers seat that is already integral to the seat belt warning lights and 'bong' sounds. If a munter gets out of the car, leaving it running for more than 30 seconds, it simply turns the engine off.

 

Subsequent engine start is then disabled for... oh, let's say 30 minutes?

[Farma]

So how does it work when thieves can get close to peoples front door and using a laptop scan the key fob usually placed inside near the door. There are plenty of online cctv vids of thieves stealing high value cars this way.

[Pattaya Spotter]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Remote start wasn't invented so you can leave a car idling and unoccupied while you get yourself a frothy coffee or go for a pish. That's just ignorance.

Why was it invented then...to make a vehicle more comfortable upon entry (and maybe to test for any bombs attached to it) yes; I don't see much difference between this and just leaving it running for a short period to keep the interior cool, especially in a climate like Thailand's. 

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Most all pump stations want you to turn off your engine when filling up; same as back home. Taking advantage of Thailand's attitude of falang rue-mahk and their not telling you to switch it off is just more ignorance.

Wouldn't it be falang mai rue-mahk? Again, not really concerned as it keeps me comfy and don't have to stop & start the car.

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Emissions are 0% when the engine is turned off. Claiming that modern technology equates with negligible emissions when idling is even more ignorance.

I'll stand by my statement that pollutants from a modern ICE vehicle are negligible when idling. 

 

Want to help cut air pollution? You might need to keep your engine on... https://theconversation.com/want-to-help-cut-air-pollution-you-might-need-to-keep-your-engine-on-116704

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Have I mentioned ignorance?

Yes...several times.

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Maybe they should?

 

OK, that endangers people with a higher IQ than the 'I must keep my car cool while I go shopping' crowd. I am all for an interlock with the pressure (weight) detector in the car drivers seat that is already integral to the seat belt warning lights and 'bong' sounds. If a munter gets out of the car, leaving it running for more than 30 seconds, it simply turns the engine off.

 

Subsequent engine start is then disabled for... oh, let's say 30 minutes?

 

I also for the ‘pressure (weight) detector’ to be utilise to ensure passengers in the rear seats use their seatbelts. 

I can only suspect the car manufacturers do not do this as its a cost thing and no insisted upon by NCAP etc (I know, slightly off-topic). 

 

Auto-turn off - if no one is in the passenger seat is a good idea. It can’t be too difficult to tie that into the existing  ‘stop start function’ and existing seat-pressure system. 

[richard_smith237]

14 minutes ago, Farma said:

So how does it work when thieves can get close to peoples front door and using a laptop scan the key fob usually placed inside near the door. There are plenty of online cctv vids of thieves stealing high value cars this way.

 

If I’m not mistaken, the key fob and vehicle are in some form of ‘constant communication’.

The thieves have a device (scanner of sorts) which can pick up the communication between the key-fob and vehicle and ‘clone’ the key fob signal (all to technical for me to understand). 

 

One of the ways to prevent this is to leave the key’s in a ‘tin box’ over night *(which acts as a faraday cage and prevents communication with the key fob so it can’t be cloned)

[KannikaP]

14 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I only leave it running if it has to be parked in the blazing sun...and not at crowded public areas. Examples like dashing into Seven or Amazon, while gassing up and going into the mini-mart (yes service stations let you keep it running during fill-ups (most)), or in a secure parking area. I wouldn't leave it on if the errand or meal was going to be longer than 30 minutes. Yes, my air-con is very efficient and even though a black color, cools down the car interior within a few minutes.

You leave the engine running for 30 minutes whilst in a restaurant. Can you imagine if everyone attending that restaurant did the same.

And as for leaving the engine running whilst filling up, what a plonker!

 

Do your bit for the Planet please.

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Why was it invented then...to make a vehicle more comfortable upon entry (and maybe to test for any bombs attached to it) yes; I don't see much difference between this and just leaving it running for a short period to keep the interior cool, especially in a climate like Thailand's. 

Wouldn't it be falang mai rue-mahk? Again, not really concerned as it keeps me comfy and don't have to stop & start the car.

I'll stand by my statement that pollutants from a modern ICE vehicle are negligible when idling. 

 

Want to help cut air pollution? You might need to keep your engine on... https://theconversation.com/want-to-help-cut-air-pollution-you-might-need-to-keep-your-engine-on-116704

Yes...several times.

 

I recently had a Volvo in the UK....   It linked to my phone. 

It could be set to start at 'what ever time’ every weekday morning, 5 mins before the start of a journey so that it was warm inside and de-iced prior to heading off on the school run... 

 

The same would be comfortable in in Thailand. It was easy enough to open the app and start the car, set the air-con etc.

 

Excellent - but as Nanleaw points out - not the most environmentally friendly. Perhaps I’d offset it with driving little more efficiently !

 

 

Turning off the car at the petrol station for 5mins doesn’t really lead to massive overheating - hardly a hardship, although I admit to forgetting sometimes. 

 

As for leaving your car idling for 30mins while you have lunch (or a bite to eat) - thats just well...  no comment really, the mind boggles !

[Farma]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

If I’m not mistaken, the key fob and vehicle are in some form of ‘constant communication’.

The thieves have a device (scanner of sorts) which can pick up the communication between the key-fob and vehicle and ‘clone’ the key fob signal (all to technical for me to understand). 

 

One of the ways to prevent this is to leave the key’s in a ‘tin box’ over night *(which acts as a faraday cage and prevents communication with the key fob so it can’t be cloned)

Which makes me think an opportunist thief could easily clone Pattaya Spotters running car and drive off. It wasn't all that long ago thieves were doing the same with scanners, easily bought over the web, in shopping centre car parks.

[transam]

If one has to leave a ride running, unattended, to keep it cool inside, then the ride has a p_ss poor A/C system...????