MADISON (WKOW) -- Car thieves are finding easy targets during this cold snap.
One woman recently told 27 News her car was taken while she dropped off books at the Sequoya Library in Madison.
But during the first weekend of February, police say at least eight vehicles were stolen while warming up unattended.
Mechanics say, in addition to being a safety risk, letting your car warm up can actually do more harm than good.
"With it being cold, there's an opportunity for it to be a little gas-washed inside the cylinders," said Jake Schaefer, service and parts director at Smart Motors in Madison.
Nick Jarmusz with AAA Wisconsin agreed.
"The negatives far outweigh the benefits," he said. "The benefits are purely creature comfort."
Experts say your car's battery can definitely take a beating in the cold. Smart Motors replaced 88 batteries in just the first two weeks of February, and AAA Wisconsin saw calls up 140 percent compared to this time last month.
But engines made after 1980 can still get ideally warm in less than a minute, according to the experts. Warming it up ahead of time only makes it warm for you or criminals.
"Don't start and leave your keys in the car," Schaefer said. "Many of the vehicles these days keep your car unlocked, recognizing the key fob is in the vehicle."
Mechanics say even if you do have a remote start for your car, you could still be susceptible to thieves.
"If you are going to use a remote start, use a reputable one," Schaefer said. "Use a manufacturer-recommended one, or a good aftermarket. One that locks the car and then starts it, not allowing any entrance into the car or anything like that.
Bottom line -- if you need to feel warm, stay smart about it.
"If nothing else, go out, get it started, but stay close to the window where you can keep an eye on it," Jarmusz said.
Don't let your guard down, or your ride could leave without you.
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February 16, 2021 at 11:42AM
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After string of car thefts, mechanics say warming your car is bad for your engine, too - WKOW
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