'My neighbour says I can’t run my car on driveway before moving off'

'My neighbour says I can’t run my car on driveway before moving off' Resident said neighour dashes out whenever he runs the car for more than 10 seconds A resident says that when he starts up his car and he leaves it running for 30 seconds before driving off, a neighbour ‘runs over’ and tells him it’s illegal. Taking to Reddit the motorist said he likes to let to idle for a short while to make sure the engine isn’t damaged by moving off when it’s cold. However, he said he wasn’t even given 10 seconds before the neighbour dashed out. He said: “I have a diesel car which I like to leave running for 30 seconds to a minute before driving just to allow the oil/metal to acclimatise and to not damage the car. I have just moved into a new property, and I had my car running for maybe 10 seconds at idle and a neighbour ran over and asked me not to leave my engine running and that idling is illegal and the exhaust ill go into their bedroom. ”I’ve just moved in and I really don’t want to be a d***, but I would like to know what the law would suggest surrounding this? I can’t seem to find anything online.” People flagged up the rule about letting the engine idle ‘unnecessarily’ on a road. One said: “Public Roads: Rule 123 of the Highway Code states you must not leave an engine running unnecessarily while stationary on a public road. “30 seconds doesn’t seem unreasonable though, not many people get in their car, start it and drive off instantly.” And the resident replied that also: “It is also not a public road, it is my driveway.” One suggested not to get too worried about it: “Just smile, nod and carry on with your life. People moan about anything.” One person suggested that it was pointless from a mechanical perspective: “Aside from the neighbour complaints you are wrong. Idling a car for 30 seconds to a minute doesn’t prevent damage. Cars are supposed to be warmed up whilst driving. While not under any load oil doesn’t reach all of the engine, meaning some of it is not lubricated for a while. To prevent wear, as is your intention, you should set off driving within 10 - 15 seconds of starting the engine.” On the subject of engine idling the RAC said: “Idling, instead of turning your engine off while stationary, increases the amount of exhaust emissions in the air. “These emissions contain a number of harmful gasses including carbon dioxide, which is bad for the environment and contributes towards climate change, as well as a range of other harmful gasses including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which are linked to asthma and other lung diseases. “Diesel vehicles - older ones in particular - are thought to be one of the biggest contributors to the problem due to high levels of nitrogen oxide and particulates. ” Rule 123 of The Highway Code looks at ‘The Driver and the Environment’. It states that drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road.” Some local authorities charge a £20 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for emission offences and stationary idling under The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002. There’s potential for the fine to increase to £801. More information here.