I'm sure this has been done to death over the years but I'd like to know people's guidelines for leaving the engine running after driving.

The sticker on the side door says 1 min after heavy driving and that's fine. Prolonged high speed counts as that. BUT what of the following scenario. 2 hours motorway driving, followed by 10 mins of 40Mph urban road(in 5th), followed by 3 mins of 30 mph(in 4th)?

Do I need still need to leave my engine running for a minute?

I'm loathe to invest in a turbo timer as my insurance company would go ape.

Thanks

I go for 3 minutes off boost so as long as I've done a stint at 30 in 4th I will switch straight off.

The place that will catch you out is petrol stations on motorways & dual carriage ways. I know you're not supposed to but I leave the engine running while I'm filling up. then switch off to pay.

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif

Visions of Alistair standing at the pumps trying in vain to get more fuel in than the Scoob's engine sucks out as it sits there ticking over..... http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/eek.gif

LOL

As long as you've been off boost for a couple of minutes after fast road driving (so ambling through a 40 or 30 counts), you'll be fine. I wouldn't recommend leaving your car running as you fill up with petrol because that's an offence in itself - better to plan your stop an get into the inside lane for a minute or so before you stop (a minute's not a long time) to let the turbo/s cool down.

Track days are different. If you're roasting the engine, leave it ticking over for anything up to ten minutes to let it cool down.