There is another thread below discussing how long one should let the car idle in the morning before warming up. Here's an add-on to that problem.<p>In the morning I follow the manual by driving as soon as I start the engine, but I keep below 2K. However, I drive my daughter to daycare and run inside to drop her off. Now I leave my car on in the parking lot because I have been brought up to believe that there is nothing worse than starting car, not letting it warm up and then turning it off. After dropping off my daughter, I swing back to my home to pick up my wife to head to the train station. Again, I leave the car on in the garage while I wait for her to get ready. Once we get to the station, the car is off for 12 hours.<p>The total drive time (on to off) is 30 minutes, total distance is 15 miles. Should I be turning off the engine during my stops or allowing the car to idle.<p>Opinions?<p>Thanks.<p>AG<p><p><p>

It's probably gentler for your engine to leave the car idling during the short stops (< 1 minute). My only worry would be theft and/or locking the key inside. My wife did the key thing with her Taurus and I didn't even laugh, but you might want to carry a second key, just in case.<p>Best of luck,<br>Steve<br>1.8TQMS<br>(great car, ain't it?)

I also tend to leave the car run as well - but the other thing to be careful of is idling a car in a garage if it is attached. Even with the door open CO levels in the house can climb - especially if there is living space above the gargage.