Basic question hear but I've heard so many people tell me different things. If you are going to stop your car for 5-10 mins to eat or decide where you are going is it better to turn the car off or leave the car running? I've heard that starting up the car again is worse for the engine than leaving it running for a few minutes but I've also been told it's really bad for the engine to be on and the car not to be moving.

 

I don't see how it can be bad for the engine

I turn it off.. if i go somewhere to eat, i much rather turn off the car and lock it so it won't get stolen, i'd be too worried if it's outside and running
only thing, cranking the car up too many times might be bad for the starter, don't know if anything else might be affected

 

true that

i'd shut it off, i'd only leave it on if i were running in for a couple of seconds

 

I would probably only leave it on if it was in my sight.

 

I shut it off if im going to be there for more than a few minutes. I dont like to just let my car sit and run. Take Care

 

Pretty sure it's a misdemeanor crime to leave a car running unattended in a lot of states.

 

I think he means if you want to eat inside your car......

 

I never eat inside my Maxima

 

I don't think you'd damage the engine very much, but unless it's really cold or hot & humid outside, why not shut it off and save some gas?

...(putting on tree-hugger hat)...

And you can do a little bit towards cleaner air, too.




Mark

 

Turn the car off....if everyone left it on...we would not be alive today to even drive our max

I am no tree hugger by any means but I guess we can all do our part.

However, if it is a cold day, I do leave the engine running.

 

Your right I did mean eating inside the car. I'd never leave it running unattended. So basically I'm getting that it doesn't make it any difference to the engine so it's better to just turn it off and save gas.

 

I would still turn it off to save gas. I mean if you had a choice would you rather eat near a running engine in a car with the windows down enjoying the breeze?
-Cyrus

 

actually......for some strange reason, i burn more gas turning it on and off than just leaving it on (for a small period of time)

 

the only times i leave the car on whiles its just sitting there, is the few times ive slept in my car when it was winter...i was on a long drive, and had to crash, or times i chill in there with my girl or stuff...she gets cold more easily, so i keep it running for the heat, but unfortunately, sumtimes i fall asleep and its been running for hours..ooops..then i gotta get gas in the morning.....u kno sumthin, i wish the heated seats would stay on without having the turn the battery on, and just at the ACC switch, which leaves enough power for the radio and clock...oh well

 

I think the only time the engine suffers is starting it after it's sat overnight. The oil has all drained to the pan so it's metal to metal on most surfaces. If the engine's still warm/recently driven, it's better to shut 'er down, save the gas and spare the air from anymore crud. I use synthetics and it's SUPPOSED to provide extra protection on cold starts.

 

I would have to suggest not eating in your car at all, ne little mishap and your interior is never the same.

 

Doh! Ok I admit I didn't catch on the first time around... When you mentioned eating, I naturally assumed you were talking about going into a restaurant to eat... now that I understand, here are my personal rules:

1. no eating in the car. No pancakes, no fries, no burgers. A piece of candy? Well OK.
2. beverages are OK if they have a lid and fit in the cup holder
3. no smoking in the car (this one pizses of the gf, cuz she has to wait for me to smoke sometimes before we go somewhere, esp. after we eat out)
4. If I have to sit and idle for more than 5 minutes, and it's not raining and the temp outside is between 60 & 80, the engine can be shut off as climate control is not needed. I feel there's no need to shut down under any circumstances if I'm going to idle for less than 5 minutes.

 

If it's a minute or two I let it idle....but if it's longer than that, I shut it off.
In NY I think it's illegel to keep a car idling for more than a couple minutes.....I mgiht be wrong here, so one at a time jumping down my throat !