1/30    (repost) Why do guys with pickups or trucks leave the engines idling
        at the gas station even though there are always signs stating
        "NO SMOKING -- TURN OFF ENGINE"? Is it a "hey I'm a macho dude
        with a studly diesel" thing or is there a real reason for them to
        do this?
        \_ If you live in a cold enough climate you can't turn the engine
           off in any location where you can't plug in your block heater.
           Maybe some of these people picked up the habbit in places like
           that.  North Dakota is like this in the winter.
           \_ This is in California.
           \_ Even after turning it off for a few minutes only?  An engine
              doesn't get cold that fast.
        \_ my guess is that when they were young they saw their mommies
           or daddies doing the same thing because old engines were hard
           to start once they're turned off. But that is just my guess. Why
           do you care? Sheesh.
                \_ I want to know WHY people do this.  This is not the most
                   inane question ever posted to the motd by far.
                   \_ Because they're lazy fucks, because they can, because
                      they think it's macho/cool/whatever.  Same reasons why
                      people don't fasten their seatbelts, dawdle in the fast
                      lane and don't indicate when passing.  Does it bug you?
                      Then tell them.  -John
                        \_ If there was a real reason to do it, then I wanted
                           to know what that was.
                           \_ See first reply.  Big (aka bigrig) trucks are
                              a pain to start, and some older engines always
                              required some warmup time.  Now it's pointless.
                                \_ Hey, a resemblance to a real answer!
        \_ Since nobody asked it, I will: is there still any reason (other
           than not to waste gas/pollute) to turn off engine at a gas station?
           I have never heard of a gas station blown up by some redneck
           republican truck idling its engine.
           \_ just a guess, leaving your engine running means your electrical
              system is on also
             \_ hence you can continue listening to your fav country music
             \_ or keep your AC on
        \_ us guys?? how many CSUA types have you seen doing this?
           \_ More to the point, how many CSUA types who drive pickups have you
              seen doing this? -- ulysses (beat-up white 89 Ford Ranger)