DEAR CAR TALK: When my sister and I shop, we save time by having lunch in the car. When she drives, if it is winter or summer, she will leave the car running for the half hour we eat, so she can run the heat or air conditioning. When I drive, I think that practice is not good for the car, so we suffer with the motor off.
Is it acceptable to idle the car so we are comfortable? Thank you. — Annette
DEAR READER: Idling doesn’t harm the car at all. If your sister starts idling near the mall,