The recent cold snap will no doubt have sparked that winter ritual familiar to all car owners who do not possess a garage - the de-icing of the car on a frosty morning. But while it is surely tempting to leave the engine running to heat up the car while you battle the ice outside, the act could cost you in more ways than one.
Such an infraction could result in a fine, as it is illegal in Luxembourg and its three neighbouring countries to run a car engine while the car is immobile. The punishment varies by country, as below:
WHY IS IT BAD?Despite the laws above, the practice persists - mostly because it was genuinely useful in the days of our parents and grandparents, when cars were unable to adapt to drops in temperature without assistance.
Modern cars, however, have engines which are capable of adapting to winter conditions, which means it can actually be detrimental to run the engine while stationary.
For a cold engine running in neutral, the fuel will evaporate less well, so the engine will automatically fix it by adding more fuel to the mixture. This surplus can, over time, be detrimental to the lubrication and life of parts such as piston seals and cylinder enclosures.
Not to mention the environmental concerns: an engine that runs without driving for just a minute consumes much more than when it starts, and emits more smoke. In just 10 seconds, the amount of CO2 released is greater than when starting the engine in the first place.
It is worth noting that the following infractions are also sanctioned in Luxembourg:
Luxembourg Wurst: Gang of illegal car warmer-uppers operating in Luxembourg
