Do you warm up your car in below ZERO weather to make it comfortable when you get into it in the morning? (house, safe)

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by rzzz

I grew up in northern MN and I've honestly never heard of people pumping gas with the engine running until now.

How old were you when you moved??? It's pretty common to see cars running when it's -30...

I've been visiting Northern MN my entire life and it's been going on at least that long...

[rzzz]

I lived up there age 5 to 18.

[my54ford]

all the time...........

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by rzzz

I lived up there age 5 to 18.

and maybe pumped gas for 2 of those years

[Kamsack]

It is very common in the Red river valley at least and I would assume in many other places. Waiting outside to fill the tank when it is -30F or so with a wind can be a bit cold...so most (not all) but most do go back and sit in the warm car with it running. I've done this for years....never an issue. I've gone to a local grocery store and left the car running while inside getting a few things..not a problem. I would say that isnt as common as in the past....but with remote starters nowadays one can start the car while in the store and let it warm up but the doors still locked.

[Kamsack]

Originally Posted by CSD610

I start my vehicle to warm the engine, the inside of the vehicle will warm as I'm driving.
I also never leave my vehicle running when I get gasoline but I also do not get back inside the vehicle while the gasoline is pumping.
One spark and you have a disaster as well as the possibility that the pump handle will not shut off like it is supposed to then you have another disaster and you have paid for 10 gallons of gasoline that is sitting on the ground with kitty litter soaking it up.

It is completely irresponsible to leave the vehicle running and/or get back inside the vehicle when getting gasoline.

And I have done that as well....I guess it depends on how cold it is. Generallyl has to be below -20F for me to leave the car running....but others do it warmer than that. Others like you dont and do shut off and go back in.

[rzzz]

My parents live in the RRV and that is where I grew up. I still go up there every year for a week in winter. I guess I wasn't paying attention. Pretty sure my parents never left the car running while pumping gas. I'll ask them next time I talk to them.

[Kamsack]

Originally Posted by rzzz

My parents live in the RRV and that is where I grew up. I still go up there every year for a week in winter. I guess I wasn't paying attention. Pretty sure my parents never left the car running while pumping gas. I'll ask them next time I talk to them.

not all do and very dependent on temp....to me it is only really apparent on the real cold days and not on just an average winter day. On a day like today with temps holding around -20F and there is a wind you will see a lot of cars running....but if it was say around zero or so and calm not so much.

[Globe199]

The only reason I've stopped running the car whilst filling the tank is because it just wastes fuel. My 1999 Cutlass is rated at 20/29 mpg, but with the last tank during this cold I got less than 15. It just spends too much time idling in this weather.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Globe199

The only reason I've stopped running the car whilst filling the tank is because it just wastes fuel. My 1999 Cutlass is rated at 20/29 mpg, but with the last tank during this cold I got less than 15. It just spends too much time idling in this weather.

Re:Cold weather temps and gas mileage. It was the 2nd year in a row that I experienced much lower MPG in the cold. I took off from MN in my 2012 Honda Accord bound for AZ. I took the hiway 100% of the time and went 79 MPH in a 75. The 1st tank filled in the Twin Cities was 27 MPH, the next tank was filled in western Iowa was 29 MPH I got 30.5 MPG in CO. 33 MPG from New Mexico to AZ. In NM, it was only 85 octane. I'm not sure if it is the cold or additives or both. But the difference is significant.