Don’t Leave Your Car Running
Tempting to do in the cold, but think twice. Besides the obvious potential for theft, if your car does indeed get stolen, you will get a ticket for it. You can, however, use your remote starter to your heart’s content.
Pertinent Minneapolis city ordinance:
“478.160. Duty to lock ignition, remove key. Every person parking a passenger automobile on a public street or alley in the city shall lock the ignition, remove the key, and take the same with him. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 411.190)”
I thought people only did this up north, anyway. Seriously, who leaves their car running, unattended, with the keys in it?
(via buzz.mn)
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I see people in the suburbs do it all the time. I had a conversation similar to this the other day:
“You know that’s illegal in Minneapolis?”
“You’re kidding; why?”
-Aaron
There was no way I was going to sit in my car this morning, so I started it up, walked back inside, and prayed that I wouldn’t get a ticket (or that the hoodrat kids wouldn’t steal it!)
If I had my own driveway and/or backyard, I’d chance it. But I just park on the street, so there’s no way I’d even think about trying it.
I almost got a remote starter installed last winter (and the year before), but I hear all kinds of horror stories about people getting the wiring in their vehicle all fucked up so I keep chickening out.
I do it but I lock the car with a spare key…
My car has a remote starter, although one of its annoying “features” is that it flashes the lights while it’s running. Seems like it’s screaming “Look at me! I’m a running car! Come steal me!” And it doesn’t help that this particular vehicle is always on those “Top 10 Most Stolen” lists.
Of course, if someone were to smash the window and jump inside, it would shut down as soon as they try to put it in gear (the key must be inserted before you step on the brake, otherwise it shuts off) but that’s still a window I’d have to replace…