Officials are warning drivers of what can happen when cars are left “puffing” in cold weather.
A “puffer” is a car that’s left unlocked, running and unattended to warm up. The Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority says a ‘puffer’ is an easy target and are offering tips to prevent thefts:
-Lock the car and take the keys every time
-Do not leave your car running and unattended
-Don’t leave valuables in your car
More than 13,000 cars were stolen in our state last year. Officials estimate nearly 50 percent of those cars were left unlocked, often with the keys inside.
AAA also adds ‘puffing’ is unnecessary when it comes to your car’s ability to perform on the road. Today’s automobiles have fuel injection systems rather than carburetors so they don’t need a long warm-up time.
