"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"dennis@home" gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying:

I bought a diesel Rover 45 when they went bust. For a 3 1/5 mile
drive to or from our house, I am freezing waiting for the heater to
come on for the last 100 yards of the journey in winter.

Go outside ten mins before you start out, run the engine at idle for
~30 seconds, go back in and finish what you are doing. You will find
it heats up quite well.

Are you suggesting leaving the car idling for ten minutes? Or idle it
for 30secs, then leave it for ten minutes?

I wouldn't leave it for ten minutes, someone might nick it. No, its to
allow the heat to spread through the block, oil, etc. makes the heaters
work quicker.
How quick depends on the car.

Idling for 30sec will barely put any heat in the coolant, let alone the
oil. Standing for ten minutes will certainly loose even that little heat.

It works for me, like I said it varies with the car.

Starting from cold, idling for 30sec, then switching off can also cause
some petrol engined cars to kick the engine management into a "flood
protection" mode which will prevent the car from starting again for an
extended period of time.

Not any car I have ever used it wont.
They must have pretty poor management if they can flood the cat with enough
unburnt fuel to need to prevent the engine starting until its evaporated.
Which cars are that bad so I can avoid them?