I have noticed before, and was reminded today, that breakdown/windscreen replacement/mobile tyre fitters keep the engines of their vans running whilst they carry out the rescue or repair. Why?
Today, a neighbour had Autoglass round to replace a windscreen. Job took perhaps 25 minutes. He left the engine running on his Transit all the time. Apart from having the radio on (loud of course), there was nothing else to drain the battery.
Chris M
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Because they don't pay for the fuel?
I've noticed lots of vans on motorways come flying past me doing 85 / 90 mph. They don't have to stump up the cost of fuel.
In contrast, you can usually tell the van drivers who own their own business because they are the ones doing 50mph in the nearside lane.
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To save wear and tear on the starter motor, possibly. Also if there was a starter failure these "on-call" vans would continue to be able to attend breakdowns etc for a few hours until a repair could be made.
As an aside, I heard somewhere that breakdown organisation mechanics now have an advanced form of immobiliser transponder on their belts or in their pockets, meaning that if an unauthorised person were to drive the (running) van away, it would quickly deadlock all the doors and cut the engine with the theif inside! I can't vouch for this, but if it's not already in practice it would be a good idea...
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>>theif
thief
i before e, etc. I've had a long night.
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I think it may be because they have some tools in the van which consume large amount of electricity; compressors for tyre inflation, some sort of hot air gun for melting the glue for bonded in windscreens etc. If they are on a main road, even in a lay-by, headlights and flashers. They certainly are on some sort of data-logging too, black boxes and other mysteries!
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Just a thought but isn't leaving your vehicle running without you in it illegal. Recall a post on this forum a while back referring to a guy who started his car up to warm it up and de-ice, went back to the front door to kiss his wife goodbye and promptly got booked.
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Yes it is illegal.
Not sure whether accident recovery vans are exempt due to the heavy current draw of their warning lights and equipment or do the police just turn a blind eye?
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Tim,
To be exact, the law states that the engine must not be left running if the vehicle is left unattended, as opposed to not having anyone in it. Otherwise a mechanic working under the bonnet with the engine running would be committing an offence.
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Spot on Tom.
Fancy joining The Specials?
DVD
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DVD,
I've got a couple of mates in the job. From what they tell me about a coppers lot these days, no thanks.
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Fancy joining The Specials?
Didn't they split up and form the Fun Boy Three?
(eighties music joke)
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The vehicle IS unattended if the driver is working on a (broken down \ repairing) vehicle.
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Hence what I said earlier about the remote immobiliser...
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Found it:
Reg 107 Con & Use Regs 1986
No person shall, leave, cause or permit to be left a motor vehicle which is not attended by a person licensed to drive it unless the engine is stopped and any parking brake for which the vehicle is required to be equipped is effectively set.
This shall not apply in respect of a vehicle:
Used for Police, Ambulance, Police purposes.
In such a position/condition as not to be likely to endanger any person or property and engaged in an operation which requiries it engine to be used to:-
Drive machinery forming part of, or mounted on, the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle, or
Maintain the electrical power of the batteries of the vehicle at a level required for driving that machinery or apparatus.
Dvd
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i went to pick up my daughter from school the other day. there was an old volvo outside with the engine running and a dog in the front seat - how scary is that!!!
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i went to pick up my daughter from school the other day. there was an old volvo outside with the engine running and a dog in the front seat - how scary is that!!!
Now Graham, that's not a nice way to describe one of the other mothers picking up their kids from school!! :o)
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No person shall, leave, cause or permit to be left a motor vehicle which is not attended by a person licensed to drive it unless the engine is stopped and any parking brake for which the vehicle is required to be equipped is effectively set.
Wow! On a flat gravel drive I will often leave the hand brake off.
I've been breaking the law for years!!!!
Trevor Potter's gonna do his nut!!!!
Should I turn myself in?
--
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
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Toad
Directive issued to your Chief Plod to take no action re failure to set your hand brake on your drive.
Clearly if it is not a road then your OK.
DVD
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Since when has it been illegal to kiss your wife goodbye?
Sorry, couldn't resist!
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Erm....why does posts keep inserting themselves in the wrong place? My previous one should have in reply to Tim's (of course) but it looks a bit silly where it ended up!
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Erm....why does posts keep inserting themselves in the wrong place? My previous one should have in reply to Tim's (of course) but it looks a bit silly where it ended up!
Carole,
If you'd have quoted some, or all of Tim's post ("quote original message" button below) then your reply wouldn't have, as you put it, looked a bit silly.
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As commented in another much earlier thread this practice has resulted in Ford Dunton Technical centre having a "failure" mode for diesel engines colloquially known as RAC Patrolman syndrome.
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I can understand it if you were in a situation where he was using his rotating beacons as it is surprising how quickly they will drain a battery, certainly my company advises not using them for longer than 20 minutes without running the engine. Never actually pushed it to the limit so don't know whether they are being over cautious but they must have some reasoning behind it.
Otherwise I agree, I was always under the impression that leaving a vehicle unattended with a running engine is illegal.
Cockle
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A prolific car thief once shared a 'trade secret' with me following his arrest. To get your pick of decent unattended cars complete with engine running just stand outside a newsagent especially between 6.30 - 7.00 am.
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