# Don't leave your unlocked car running and then wonder why it gets stolen **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 23, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980 "2017-01-23T22:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/21 "2017-01-24T11:25:32Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Can’t see how they can tell you what to do with your own property while it’s on your own property and not a public roadway. Can they tell me what to do with my home chemistry set and my supply of cold medicine and drain cleaner in the privacy of my own home? Can they tell me I can’t use my own gun for target practice in my own urban back yard? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/22 "2017-01-24T11:49:24Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Can they tell me what to do with my home chemistry set and my supply of cold medicine and drain cleaner in the privacy of my own home? In your case, sure – that’s what you get for building your home right in a public alley! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/23 "2017-01-24T12:42:05Z")
I don’t get \*why \*people would leave a car running. Is it to save time? Killing the engine off, locking the car, unlocking the car and starting the engine again take, together, no more than 10 seconds. Is it really worth it for that? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/24 "2017-01-24T12:58:58Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I don’t get \*why \*people would leave a car running. Is it to save time? Killing the engine off, locking the car, unlocking the car and starting the engine again take, together, no more than 10 seconds. Is it really worth it for that? Well, in these parts when it gets really cold (below -30 or so) some people leave vehicles running while they go in for groceries or whatever so that the vehicle will stay warm. Dunno what the excuse is otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/25 "2017-01-24T12:59:17Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Can they tell me what to do with my home chemistry set and my supply of cold medicine and drain cleaner in the privacy of my own home? > > Can they tell me I can’t use my own gun for target practice in my own urban back yard? Those things aren’t the same as leaving a car running in your garage. A running, locked car on your property isn’t hurting anyone. > [@Alessan](#): > > I don’t get \*why \*people would leave a car running. Is it to save time? Killing the engine off, locking the car, unlocking the car and starting the engine again take, together, no more than 10 seconds. Is it really worth it for that? To keep it warm/cool. Why do you think remote starters are so great? Getting into a nice warm car in the winter or a nice cool car in the summer is exquisite. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/26 "2017-01-24T13:54:40Z")
How do you leave the trunk full of speakers blaring at 120 dB in the convenience store parking lot, without leaving the car running? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/27 "2017-01-24T15:25:16Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > It does mention “curb or side of the highway” but it doesn’t say anything about private property being exempt so I don’t know if the curb and highway thing was the legislatures way of exempting private property. > > Can’t see how they can tell you what to do with your own property while it’s on your own property and not a public roadway. I agree with you regarding the private property aspect of it. It’s like saying you have to lock your front door to the house. There are some jurisdictions that have similar laws based on environmental issues. [Here’s an example](http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2014/07/capitol-connection-dont-idle-its-the-law/). I don’t see how this could be enforced without saying it’s illegal to joyride or drive with the heater on for health reasons. It’s so porous a law that it appears to be a matter of time before it’s bumped up the court system into extinction. The way it was written in Ohio it looks like they tried it into public safety as a way of justifying it. “don’t leave your keys in the ignition and turn the wheel if you’re on a hill”. I guess you can say it’s dangerous to little kids. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/28 "2017-01-24T15:46:55Z")
Just another drop in the bucket of the American carnage. 😃 But yeah, don’t leave your car running. It’s hard to do when it’s -5 out and your car is coated in an inch of ice. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/29 "2017-01-24T16:36:21Z")
I thought the insurance company would be bothered by this behavior. Ours is. Lock your house, lock your vehicle. Always. When I was younger there were lots of PSA’s. One was about vehicles being stolen because someone left it running and unlocked. I think it said “lock your doors, take your keys” You wouldnt leave it running if you had a child in the car while you rain in the store for just a pack of ciggies?? Otherwise, those who live in areas with extreme weathers should not plan to stop along the way…otherwise, deal with it and quit yer bitchin…:p:D 😕Still, my insurance would have a GIANT fit if I had left ours running and unlocked. 😕😕 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/30 "2017-01-24T18:45:06Z")
These stories always hit the news when the temp drops. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/31 "2017-01-24T19:14:29Z")
He can’t use extreme cold as an excuse, because the temperature was in the 30s at the time. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/32 "2017-01-24T20:40:30Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > He can’t use extreme cold as an excuse, because the temperature was in the 30s at the time. Yeah, that’s not cold. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2017, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/33 "2017-01-24T23:40:51Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > He can’t use extreme cold as an excuse, because the temperature was in the 30s at the time. 30 _above?_ Like Zero Celsius? In Wisconsin, that’s not worth complaining about. Or losing a car over… ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/34 "2017-01-25T01:36:01Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Of course the thief did something terrible, but why make it so much easier for him (or her; we’ve seen that too) to do it? > > Women who aren’t intoxicated and wearing suggestive clothing get raped too, and so do men. Yeah, and so do cars which are locked and not running. Isn’t that the point? ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/35 "2017-01-25T02:09:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Keep your lock clicker separate from the ignition key. > > Then you can leave the car running. Press the clicker and the car is safe for a few minutes while you’re in the convenience store. > > I’ve done this for years. Lock clickers make it so fast and easy. There’s no excuse not to lock the car. Even if you’re only away from it for a couple minutes. > > Cars can be jimmied open. So take the key out if you’re going to be in the store for awhile. Used to own a Ford, clicker and key were separate, Toyota, they’re both one unit. Double frustrating, as even with a remote starter it seems you cannot lock the doors when the key is in. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/36 "2017-01-25T02:29:59Z")
Tapatalk edit: didn’t read whole thread :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/37 "2017-01-25T02:36:13Z")
Every time I see a car with the engine running I want to jump in and just take it down the block, just to mess with the idiot who left it running. Yesterday I passed a car that had the car running and the door open. When I’m old and my kids aren’t living at home, boy are some people going to be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/38 "2017-01-25T05:18:53Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > Every time I see a car with the engine running I want to jump in and just take it down the block, just to mess with the idiot who left it running. How do you know they’re not an idiot and have a remote starter? I leave my car running to keep it warm/cool when I’m just running in somewhere. It’s impossible for anyone to drive it away because the key is not in the ignition. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/39 "2017-01-25T05:29:34Z")
This summer I left my Jeep key in the ignition and the doors unlocked for the better part of a week - parked in front of the house on the street (this wasn’t on purpose; I was unloading groceries and just sashayed inside with the last bags and forgot key/locking). Since we live in a suburb of Trenton, NJ, this may be the state record for non-stealiciousness. Maybe potential thieves thought it was a bait car 😃 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980/40 "2017-01-25T21:55:19Z")
The danger of leaving a car unattended is that thieves might steal it. The danger of leaving a Jeep unattended is that thieves might leave you a second Jeep. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-leave-your-unlocked-car-running-and-then-wonder-why-it-gets-stolen/777980.md?page=3)