My sister-in-law had her Jeep Cherokee stolen this morning.

[codeyf]

That's funny the Bellingham PD said it "never" happens here. I too live in WA, and I swear, every news channel does a small piece about this sort of thing every year at this time. Basically telling people not to do it.

So yeah, she's lame.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: Mucho

Originally posted by: brigden
Don't listen to these jaded morons. In Canada, people leave their cars idling without fear because we don't need to fear rampant car theft.

I am almost certain you can get a ticket in Toronto for doing that.

Anti-idling laws only apply in a set temperature range. Anything over 27C or below 10C I believe, you're allowed to idle the car. Otherwise, it's a max of 3 minutes of idling before you will get ticketed.

 

[Bryophyte]

What scares me about your sister-in-law is that she lets the kids stay in a running car often while she leaves them unattended. That's neglectful and dangerous. :|

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
And something tells me this idiot will then lie to the insurance company as to how the car was stolen.

No, she called the police right away and told them the straight story. The insurance company said that it was NOT her fault.

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
That's a REALLY dumb thing to do, ANYWHERE.

This morning when driving my son to school in my little Oregon town I counted three cars out idling without drivers. This includes my neighbor, the nurse who moved up here form Arizona, who lets her 2001 Mustang convertible warm-up for ten minutes ON THE STREET every morning, and a prison guard (came out in uniform as I was driving back).

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

it's also ILLEGAL in a lot of places.

Yes, the police could have cited her, but that would just add insult to injury.

Originally posted by: EatSpam
I leave my car idling in the driveway, but I lock it and then use my spare key to unlock it when I get in. The fact that its a stick makes it a lot less likely to be stolen as they'd probably kill it getting into 1st, but still, better safe than sorry.

That?s what I do too. All month we have had lows in the teens Fahrenheit with highs just at freezing. Only got up to 22F yesterday!

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: geno
how long do you need to let an engine warm up for? cripes 2 minutes max is all you need

I'd imagine it'd be more to let the car (i.e. cabin/heater) warm up than the engine, which at most--I've heard--requires about 15 seconds.

Originally posted by: Ime
Does she also leave her kids locked in the car during the summer while she goes shopping?
Geez, if I ever caught my wife doing this I'd take away her keys!
Of course, we live in Georgia and park in a garage so it's not like we need to warm up the cabin any.

She warms it up a bit, puts the kids in, then goes back thru the house to make sure lights are off etc. The kids, are usually locked in the car for a few minutes but yesterday they followed their mom around the house instead. She rents the house. No garage.

Originally posted by: brigden
Don't listen to these jaded morons. In Canada, people leave their cars idling without fear because we don't need to fear rampant car theft.

Thank you. And she does live very close to Canada.

Originally posted by: Looney
LOL i've been doing it for years up here in Canada. In the winter like now, i always let it warm up for 10mins before getting in.

I thought about getting The Club, or a remote car starter... just too lazy.

Anyways, i bet it was just some kids joyriding.

The latest police theory of the crime is that it was an organized group of Russians from the next town over and that they have it stashed somewhere for a few days until things cool down. Thanks Joe Friday.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: BigJ
Wow that was dumb. If you do that, at the very least lock your doors and use your spare key to open it.

:thumbsup: I don't care how safe you think your neighborhood is.

Besides, if I was a cold-hearted criminal witnessing this everyday, it's not so hard to pick a time to swipe the car. Our "safe neighborhood" home got broken into during the only 2 hours of the entire day nobody's home. It happens because someone probably staked out the routine...

I remember they hit Plainview with the home invasions a few months ago (October I think). One of the nicest neighborhoods around with an avg income of $90,000+, and yet crime still occurs there.

that's where I lived... Plainview... but this happened a few years ago. Climbed the backyard fence and they shattered the sliding glass door... our "yappy" dog was unharmed but they took items for money anyway. I swear they watched us leave our home for some time before that. Cops said there was another house break-in a few blocks away that day too.

The incidents you're referring to... 3 guys come in the middle of the night through unlocked windows and tie the family up while taking their stuff... they've hit a few towns in addition and it's the same guys because they used the same specific type of rope.

 

[Trey22]

What a dumbshit.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I am going to touch on this point again. What is she going to tell the insurance company? Is she even going to call them? She shouldn't as she simply gave her car away and should be responsible for paying for the replacement. I still say she will lie to the insurance company.

How is it not stolen. Just because it was stupid of her doesn't mean it wasn't stolen.

Like christmas decorations. Teenage kids love going around stealing them for no good reason. Oh no, that means it wasn't theft, those idiots should have had those things bolted down and chained to support beams.

She HANDED the car away. She left it unattend, unlocked, and running in the driveway with the KEYS in it. Tell me why the insurance company should be held responsible to pay for someone else's complete lack of responsibility and judgement?

Unless there is a clause on the insurance, I don't see how it wouldn't be covered under being stolen.

If they cover it I am fine with that as long as she tells the truth as to the consequences of the theft. People in the northern climates should simply use block heaters on timers. They make some good ones that are basically an electrical water heater element that goes in place of a freeze plug. You can set it to come on automatically and heat the engine water up to any preset temperature you like. This way it is all taken care of for you. You simply unplug the car from the extension cord in the morning, get in and start it, and drive away with the heater already warm enough to function.

She rents the house. No garage. It is still trespass on to the property and grand theft. Not like leaving a bike unlocked in front of the public library. It is sad when we have to assume the worst in people and lock everything down. Insurance said they will pay.

Sorry for the slow reply. The DSL went out area wide all nite a half-hour after I posted.

 

[Fritzo]

Did you know it's illegal to have a car running while you're not around it? She'll probably get a ticket on top of that.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I am going to touch on this point again. What is she going to tell the insurance company? Is she even going to call them? She shouldn't as she simply gave her car away and should be responsible for paying for the replacement. I still say she will lie to the insurance company.

How is it not stolen. Just because it was stupid of her doesn't mean it wasn't stolen.

Like christmas decorations. Teenage kids love going around stealing them for no good reason. Oh no, that means it wasn't theft, those idiots should have had those things bolted down and chained to support beams.

She HANDED the car away. She left it unattend, unlocked, and running in the driveway with the KEYS in it. Tell me why the insurance company should be held responsible to pay for someone else's complete lack of responsibility and judgement?

Unless there is a clause on the insurance, I don't see how it wouldn't be covered under being stolen.

If they cover it I am fine with that as long as she tells the truth as to the consequences of the theft. People in the northern climates should simply use block heaters on timers. They make some good ones that are basically an electrical water heater element that goes in place of a freeze plug. You can set it to come on automatically and heat the engine water up to any preset temperature you like. This way it is all taken care of for you. You simply unplug the car from the extension cord in the morning, get in and start it, and drive away with the heater already warm enough to function.

She rents the house. No garage. It is still trespass on to the property and grand theft. Not like leaving a bike unlocked in front of the public library. It is sad when we have to assume the worst in people and lock everything down.

And even stupider if you don't.

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser

Originally posted by: Ime
Does she also leave her kids locked in the car during the summer while she goes shopping?
Geez, if I ever caught my wife doing this I'd take away her keys!
Of course, we live in Georgia and park in a garage so it's not like we need to warm up the cabin any.

She warms it up a bit, puts the kids in, then goes back thru the house to make sure lights are off etc. The kids, are usually locked in the car for a few minutes but yesterday they followed their mom around the house instead. She rents the house. No garage.

Isn't it a bad idea to leave your kids in car with the engine running? One of them could take it for a joy ride

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: talyn00
Isn't it a bad idea to leave your kids in car with the engine running? One of them could take it for a joy ride

The biggest problem is that kids get stolen with cars. It happens a lot. Usually the kids are dumped off someplace away from home and not killed but still....

edit: whoops, fixed formatting

 

[IrocZman223]

I haven't read the entire thread, but do all of you live on the west coast? I live in Indiana and you HAVE to let your car warm up this time of year. Often it is entirely too cold to sit in your vehicle for 10-15 minutes while the ice and everything else melts off your car while it warms up enough to drive.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Superself
Always get a remote start system installed.

I use an Avital alarm system with remote start.

Would be very hard to steal a car that shuts off when you put your foot on the brake pedal when no key is in the ignition.

Get the top of the line from one of these companies....

Thanks. Now I know what to get her for Christmas.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Shoot, everyone here lets their car idle for 10-15-20 minutes in the morning...

However, if I actually had a winter car worth any value I'd get another set of keys AND LOCK THE DOORS!!!

She paid a pricey lesson...poor girl.

 

[techtonics]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
I used to live in Lowell, ma and I used to leave my Eclipse idle in the driveway all the time. It was never stolen. Whoever says she is an idiot needs a reality check.

Just because it was never stolen doesn't mean it never had the chance of being stolen. I've had a car stolen before and I've had my car broken in to multiple times. I think your way of thinking changes once it's actually happened to you. Crime happens everywhere. True, there are areas where crime is less prevalent, but the possibility is still there. I'd rather be safe than sorry. If you leave your car idling and unattended, you can be upset if it's stolen, but the brunt of the blame falls on your own negligence. I feel the possiblity of something like this happening is just as high as leaving your unattended wallet with a couple hundred dollars in it on the driveway and having it stolen. Why would you do either?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: IrocZman223
I haven't read the entire thread, but do all of you live on the west coast? I live in Indiana and you HAVE to let your car warm up this time of year. Often it is entirely too cold to sit in your vehicle for 10-15 minutes while the ice and everything else melts off your car while it warms up enough to drive.

I live south of Omaha, and everyone I know around here scrapes the ice off with an ice scraper after they start the car. Seems silly to just sit there until the defroster melts everything.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: IrocZman223
I haven't read the entire thread, but do all of you live on the west coast? I live in Indiana and you HAVE to let your car warm up this time of year. Often it is entirely too cold to sit in your vehicle for 10-15 minutes while the ice and everything else melts off your car while it warms up enough to drive.

I live south of Omaha, and everyone I know around here scrapes the ice off with an ice scraper after they start the car. Seems silly to just sit there until the defroster melts everything.

I live in Central Ohio... I usually start the car and scrape the ice off of it, and then go back inside the house or whatever for another 5-10 minutes, while the car warms up. My car runs like *crap* if it is cold.

 

[enyce2k9]

so what happens next???

 

[Trikat]

Lesson learned, but kinda too harsh. Hopefully she finds her Jeep soon, but I bet the wheels will be gone if it is found at all.
As for me I have no need to warm up a car for 10+ min.

 

[Baked]

Your brother married a good one.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: brigden
Don't listen to these jaded morons. In Canada, people leave their cars idling without fear because we don't need to fear rampant car theft.

I wish I was born Canadian.

Wow. I guess you haven't been to Toronto. My brother got his car stolen from the office parking lot there. Also he had his car stereo stolen from the underground parking garage at his apartment.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: IrocZman223
I haven't read the entire thread, but do all of you live on the west coast? I live in Indiana and you HAVE to let your car warm up this time of year. Often it is entirely too cold to sit in your vehicle for 10-15 minutes while the ice and everything else melts off your car while it warms up enough to drive.

I live south of Omaha, and everyone I know around here scrapes the ice off with an ice scraper after they start the car. Seems silly to just sit there until the defroster melts everything.

I live in Central Ohio... I usually start the car and scrape the ice off of it, and then go back inside the house or whatever for another 5-10 minutes, while the car warms up. My car runs like *crap* if it is cold.

I warm mine up in my driveway without babysitting it as well. I also don't lock my doors until I go to bed and generally live a paranoia free life. If I lived in a high crime area I would modify my behavior but I don't so it is not something I am all that worried about.

 

[ZoomStop]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: talyn00
Isn't it a bad idea to leave your kids in car with the engine running? One of them could take it for a joy ride

The biggest problem is that kids get stolen with cars. It happens a lot. Usually the kids are dumped off someplace away from home and not killed but still....

That happened around here last year. Dad left the car running and his baby in the back seat while he ran into ABC Warehouse. Someone boosted the car and then abandoned it and the baby a few miles away.

The charged the dad with child endangerment and took his kid away for a few months. Seems harsh but I guess they were trying to make a point.

You never ever ever leave your kid in a running car while you leave it for a minute. You can replace a car pretty easy. Your child on the other hand....

 

[newParadigm]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
That's a REALLY dumb thing to do, ANYWHERE.

it's also ILLEGAL in a lot of places.

What? Since when? I leave my car idling in my sub-urban neighborhood unlocked in my driveway all the time in the winter, wouldnt ever do it in public driveway, but at home sure...

actually though, its usually in the garage (door open...)...so thats a little more secure.

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: brigden
Don't listen to these jaded morons. In Canada, people leave their cars idling without fear because we don't need to fear rampant car theft.

With the exception of a drop from 1996 to 2000, the rate of vehicle theft in Canada has been increasing annually since the mid-1980s...Canada ranked fifth highest of 17 countries for car thefts in the 1999 International Crime Victimization Survey, with 1.6% of the population reporting that they had been a victim of car theft during the previous 12 months. Police-reported data show that Canada's vehicle theft rate has been higher than the U.S. rate since 1996. In 2000, Canada's rate was 26% higher than the comparable American rate.

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/030108/d030108b.htm