Are You Breaking The Law In Arkansas When Idling Your Car To Warm it up?

Brr, it's cold in the morning and it's such a miserable feeling to climb into a cold vehicle. Starting your vehicle and letting it idle to warm up sounds like a great idea but is it legal to do that?

With today's cars, it's even easier to do this because you can start it from inside your house with the keyless remote.... but don't do it. It's illegal in at least 33 states and in a lot of those states it's an automatic misdemeanor.

Is it illegal in Arkansas? What about Texas?

In Arkansas, it is illegal to leave your car running unattended even if it's just for a minute or two.

Arkansas Code § 27-51-1306 says;

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key, or, when standing upon any perceptible grade, without effectively setting the brake and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.

 

Texas? It goes for you too! But why?

There are 2 Reasons Why Idling Your Car is Illegal in Arkansas and Texas

1. Air Pollution. If your car is just sitting there idling, there is a lot of unnecessary exhaust going out into the environment.

The US Department of Energy says

    The engine will warm up faster being driven, which will allow the heat to turn on sooner, decrease your fuel costs, and reduce emissions

2. Car Thieves. They love to see an unattended vehicle already running. It makes it much easier to get in and drive off.

More to read: Here are some tips on Protecting Your Pipes in Freezing Weather 

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