Idling cars do devil's work
Vehicles left running tempt thieves, police warn motorists
Monday October 4, 2004
LIZ MONTEIRO
RECORD STAFF



Letting your car idle is "just putting it on a silver platter" for thieves, police say.

(Originally published January 17, 2004)
WATERLOO REGION -- Next time you to stop to grab a quick coffee at Tim Hortons, turn your car off and lock it.

And when you visit the automated banking machine, don't leave the car running to keep it warm and cozy until you return. If you do, police warn, it may be gone.

"You are creating an opportunity for someone to jump in and go freewheeling in your vehicle,'' said Staff Sgt. Bryan Larkin of Waterloo regional police.

On frigid days, it's not uncommon to see drivers slip into convenience stores, coffee shops and gas bars while their cars idle out front.

Not only are you wasting fuel and polluting the air, but you are also a prime target for thieves.

"You are putting it on a silver platter for them: 'Take my car, it's running,"' Larkin said.

From Jan. 1 to Jan 15 in Waterloo Region, 96 vehicles were reported stolen. At the same time last year, 89 were stolen.

Thieves stole a total of 3,561 vehicles in the region last year and 3,812 the year before.

Drivers could make these thefts less easy, police say.

In addition to leaving their cars idling in public lots, some drivers start their cars before going to work then go back indoors while the cars warm up.

Police recommend using a block heater, which is installed under the hood and helps a car warm up in minutes after a cold night.

Dave Fischer, a mechanic at Roger Fowler Firestone on Fairway Road, said it takes about two minutes for oil to move through the engine in extreme cold. A motorist should let a car run for five minutes if it hasn't been started in a few days. '

It need not idle for 15 minutes, he said.

Dave Steffler of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Air Quality in Waterloo Region said idling a car causes wear and tear on the vehicle while also producing pollutants.

But drivers want a warm car in cold weather. Snow and a high of - 8 C are in today's forecast. Sun and - 6 are expected tomorrow.

Trent Bellefeuille, owner of Boomin Car Audio on King Street East in Kitchener, said he sells about 120 automatic engine starters from October to January.

Despite the recent cold spell, Bellefeuille said he hasn't had a rush on sales.

Those who buy the starters are often shift workers who want to warm up their cars before they go out into a cold night.

With an automatic starter, the driver can press a button and start a car up to 600 metres away without touching it.

And, although police say a starter is not a deterrent to thieves, Bellefeuille said it's hard to steal a car that has been started with one of the gadgets.

Once the thief breaks in and hits the brake pad, the car shuts down, he said. And without a key, the thief can't unlock the steering wheel.

"It's like the bank leaving the front door open, but all the money is locked in the vault,'' Bellefeuille said.

The starters range from $259 installed to $599.