Car thieves don’t hibernate in the winter. Even in the deepest, snowiest, slushiest of freezing temps.    

Let’s face it: some enchanted — but also chilly and frigid — evening (or morning), you may want to leave your car running unattended to give it time to defrost before you trudge out into the bone-chilling cold. To slog towards school, errands, or appointments when all you want to do is cozy up in front of a warm fire. So you think, “hey, I’ll just warm up my car to get it nice and toasty before I head out…” 

Don’t do it.   

For one thing, in some places it’s illegal. And of course, in all places it can be dangerous to leave the engine on. And it’s an invitation to nab your vehicle. 

It’s a common crime of convenience. After all, the driver literally left the car unlocked, keys inside, and is signaling all of this to would-be thieves with the tell-tale puffs of steam emanating from the exhaust pipe. 

* In regions where it’s illegal, those tell-tale puffs can get you a fine and trouble with the police as well.  

Nights are longer, darker, and offer car thieves extra cover to grab your car. So winter’s prime time already for thieves to be on the prowl. Don’t help them out by virtually handing them the keys and letting them know you’re nowhere in sight.  This type of auto theft is so prevalent that there’s even a word for it: “warm-up theft.”

It’s an easy enough game to play. People cruise neighborhoods searching for idling cars and when they spot the smoke coming from the car, they can grab the car in seconds… while their friends continue driving by.

If you have a car from this century, chances are pretty good that driving the vehicle helps the engine reach ideal operating temps faster than merely idling it. To get all science-y for a moment, cars have a mechanism called a catalytic converter, which not only reduces emissions but ramps up sooner once the car is driven. (Pretty cool, huh?)  

So most auto manufacturers reco gentle driving once you’ve started the engine. Your car’s interior will also warm up faster.    

BONUS: By refraining from the warm up, you’ll also save some money. Warming up hogs up your gas, which means you need to fill up with more fuel at the station.

Save your car, save the planet. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Researchers estimate that idling from heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles combined wastes about 6 billion gallons of fuel annually.” 

So stop the habit, protect your vehicle, and help out mother nature as well. 

Stay vigilant all year long. Keep in mind other good habits: 

• Always lock your vehicle 

• Park in a locked garage whenever possible 

• Keep cars and motorcycles parked in well-lit areas 

• Don’t leave valuables visible 

• Roll up windows 

• Install an alarm system 

• Install a tracking device 

As always, empowered drivers are safer drivers, more thoughtful drivers, and more engaged drivers. Check out more of our awesome winter safety tips on our blog, such as:

• 5 Essentials: Winter Survival Emergency Kit

• Winter Rx: Cold Weather Survival Guide for Drivers

• Do's and Don'ts of How To De-Ice Your Windshield

What are you waiting for? Join the ride and get a quote today and see how techno-driven coverage can lower your premiums.