Cars are manufactured to run. As a matter of fact, the engine of a car should be warmed once in a while either by driving the car or idling it. This is where you see some people idling their car overnight.
While one can mistakenly leave his car idling overnight, another person can leave his car running overnight because of one reason or the other but the question is, is it right? What happens if you leave your car running overnight?
If you leave your car running overnight, the gas will finish and cause the car to turn off by itself. It can also cause carbon monoxide in the garage if there’s not enough ventilation.
Can You Leave Your Car Running Overnight?
Yes, you can leave your car running overnight but that might not be a wise thing to do. Why would you want to leave a car running throughout the whole night?
While no one is preventing you from doing this, you may have to consider lots of safety factors before leaving your car on for such a long time.
What Happens If You Leave Your Car Running Overnight?
Here are what can happen if you leave your car running overnight:
1. The Gas Will Finish
If you don’t have enough gas capable of running the car throughout the whole night, the gas will finish and the car will turn off by itself.
Even though most cars use less gas while idling, if you don’t have enough gas in the gas tank capable of running the car till the next day, the car will run until the gas is all gone, the car will turn off itself.
However, if you have enough gas capable of running the car throughout the night, you may wake up to see the car still running the next morning.
2. The Car May be Stolen
If you leave the car running overnight, chances are, you may wake up to see the car no more. Don’t get it twisted. Car theft is on the boom now.
Imagine leaving your car on your driveway for the whole night in an area known for car theft, it’s like you freely gave the thief opportunity to do what they know how to do the best. You might wake to see the car no more.
Nonetheless, if you leave in a nice secured neighborhood, you will obviously see the car the next day. It depends on how safe your neighborhood is.
3. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you leave your car running overnight in a closed garage connected to the main building, you may end up suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of the fumes coming from the car exhaust pipe.
When a car is in motion, it brings out smoke through the exhaust pipe. The smoke is harmful to the body system when inhaled for a long time.
If you leave your car running for long time without enough ventilation, the smoke coming from the exhaust pipe can circulate and travel through the whole building. It can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and may cause severe health issues and death.
Therefore, on no account should you leave your car running overnight on a closed or locked garage.
4. Environmental Hazard
If your leave your car running overnight, it will continue to burn fuel and continues to release smoke though the exhaust system. These smoke makes its way into the environment, polluting the environment and contaminating the air.
Have you ever been so close to a car exhaust pipe and see how bad you the air you breath around it is, including how you may find it difficult breathing.
Therefore, if you leave a car that has failed it’s emissions test running overnight, the environment will be polluted. You and your neighbors may find it difficult breathing fresh air.
5. You Spend More on Gas
If you leave the car running overnight, you may end up using up all the gas in the tank and will be required to get another gas to be able to start the car.
With the way gas prices are skyrocketing and your car that requires premium gas, you will end up spending more on gas than you should.
6. The Car May Develop a Fault
Even though cars are manufactured to run hours without issues, they are however made to be monitored while running. It is however very risky to run a car unmonitored. How would you know if it’s overheating?
If you leave a car running overnight while you’re away on your bed snoring and enjoying your sleep, the car is not being monitored, if it starts to develop a fault while running, no one will be there to notice and take actions immediately, hence, you may wake to see a spoilt car.
7. Noise Complaint
If you leave your car running overnight, you maybe waken up by your neighbor banging on the door to complain about the noise from the car.
The neighbors may end up calling the police on you especially if you had modified the car and added loud exhaust to it.
While you may not care about the noise because it’s your car, another person will and he/she may end up calling the cops on you.
These are what may happen if you. Leave your car running overnight unattended.
However, it is important to note that you can still leave your running overnight and wake up to nothing happening. The car will still be running in good condition. It depends on how good the car is and how well you maintained it.
How to Safely Run a Car Overnight
- Ensure You Have Enough Gas: Ensure you have enough gas in the gas tank before leaving the car running overnight, this is to prevent the car from turning off by itself.
- Enough Ventilation: Do not leave the car running in a closed garage or tight place. Ensure there’s enough ventilation where the car is running.
- Beware of the Exhaust Pipe: Do not position the exhaust pipe close to your room or to the building, have it position far away to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- How Secured is your Area: If your state of residence is known for car theft, do not leave your car outside.
- Leave the Car in a Closed Fence: You can park the car in your backyard or closed or locked fence where it’s impossible for an intruder to penetrate into.
Conclusion
You can leave your car running overnight but ensure that those factors explained above are considered. Don’t leave the car running overnight in an area with car theft, you may wake up to regret your action.