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Don’t even think about puffing your vehicle, depending on where you live. Puffing cars is illegal in about 31 states and could result in a fine from police officers. Even in areas that experience brutal winter conditions, this practice doesn’t fly. 

Puffing cars is illegal in 31 states 

So, what is puffing cars? It’s a common activity among drivers in winter. It’s when you leave your vehicle unattended to warm up. However, many argue that they need to warm up their vehicles during frigid weather conditions. 

According to AAA, idling your car in the cold can damage the engine. Modern engines reach operating temperatures much faster than older options. Prolonged idling may increase stress for the engine and its components. Plus, it can lead to premature wear. 

The best way to warm up a vehicle is to gently drive it. Avoid hard accelerations. Also, consider using a black heater in areas with extremely cold temperatures. 

But the practice is illegal as it harms the environment. It allows excessive amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, impacting air quality. 

Also, if your keys are just left in your vehicle, then it makes it much easier for thieves to steal. Police officers share that most automotive thefts occur as a crime of opportunity. 

On top of that, many insurance companies will refuse to cover stolen vehicles if they are taken while left running or unattended. In some states, you could get fined as little as $500 for violating the law. But in other areas like Texas, the fine is up to $5,000. 

In some areas, the idling time is extended during periods with colder temperatures. There could also be exemptions for idling on private property. 

Puffing cars is illegal in the following states: 

  • Arizona 
  • California 
  • Colorado 
  • Connecticut 
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii 
  • Idaho 
  • Illinois 
  • Kansas 
  • Maine 
  • Maryland 
  • Massachusetts 
  • Michigan 
  • Minnesota 
  • Missouri 
  • Nevada 
  • New Hampshire 
  • New Jersey 
  • New York 
  • Ohio 
  • Oregon 
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Rhode Island 
  • South Carolina 
  • Texas 
  • Utah 
  • Vermont 
  • Virginia 
  • West Virginia 
  • Wisconsin 
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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer and covers all things Trucks and SUVs. She covers Stellantis regularly, including Dodge, Ram, and Jeep vehicles. Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She’s spent the last several years testing new cars for MotorBiscuit and writing about their pros and cons. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her on test drives.

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