Is It Illegal to Let Your Cold Car Warm Up in Michigan?

Now that we have been hit with our first taste of cold here in Michigan, the question often arises: Is It Illegal to Let Your Cold Car Warm Up in Michigan?

A change in Michigan a few years back was the Michigan House Bill  4215 amended the law, rescinding wording that made the practice illegal.  This allows vehicle owners to warm up their vehicles in their private driveways without the risk of penalty. You can warm a car or truck in your driveway without a ticket. You cannot warm your car in a private roadway or parking lot. 

Great news if you are not a fan of this cold weather back in the Metro Detroit area. I remember a Roseville man getting headlines in the news (not me), getting a ticket for warming his car in his driveway. The un-named gentleman challenged a $128 dollar ticket. Later the Michigan law got amended. Check out this story at this link Click Here

To answer the question, yes you can warm a car or truck but in your driveway. Before the summer of 2017, Michigan vehicle owners were ticketed for leaving their vehicles unattended unless they locked the doors and used a remote start, even if their cars were sitting in the driveway.

Keep warm everyone, I have a feeling it's going to be a long winter. Time for me to start, "RED," that is what I named my truck. Not looking forward to the drive-in today. Be careful everyone. Don't forget snow will also be in the forecast, so get your shovels ready.

You warm up your cold car in the winter. What about cranking up the AC and let your car cool off on a hot summer day. But is that legal in Michigan? House Bill 4215 gives Michigan motorists the right to leave unattended vehicles in their own driveways. This means it is legal for vehicle owners to cool off their cars before driving on a hot summer day. Hopefully, you can remember this the next time you want to warm up your cold car in Michigan!

The countdown to Spring 2024 is currently at 141 days and counting.

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated with a blend of family, food, and traditions, some of which are deeply rooted in history. But, if you think this holiday is all about the turkey and pumpkin pie, you're in for a surprise. There are also some more unique and unexpected customs that have found their way into the Thanksgiving celebration.

Over time, families and close-knit groups of friends often create their unique Thanksgiving customs, which they observe annually. Many families engage in acts of giving back by volunteering at local food banks or shelters, to share their good fortune with those in need. Some base their day around the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, a tradition since 1924. Then, there's the age-old custom of partaking in or watching a friendly game of touch football with friends and family. It has also become synonymous with Thanksgiving, creating opportunities for connection and fun.

Despite the presence of commonly practiced annual traditions, there are some customs that may strike certain people as unusual. For instance, consider the annual Presidential Turkey Pardon, officially known as the "National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation."  On Thanksgiving Day, the President extends clemency to a specially selected turkey, sparing it from becoming the centerpiece of a meal and ensuring that it lives out its days freely on a farm.

According to the National Turkey Federation, this tradition started in 1947 when President Harry Truman received a live turkey from them. In 1963, President Kennedy returned the gift from the National Turkey Federation to its farm of origin, according to the White House website. Sometime during the Nixon administration, the President began sending the turkey to a petting farm near Washington after the receiving ceremony and photos, although no formal pardon was given. President George H.W. Bush offered the first actual turkey pardon. On November 14, 1989, he declared that year's turkey had "been granted a presidential pardon as of right now."

But this is just the start when it comes to unusual Thanksgiving customs. Check out the following list for even more unique and eccentric traditions associated with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Frozen turkey bowling is as straightforward as it sounds: Instead of using conventional bowling balls and pins, participants roll frozen turkeys toward rows of soda bottles. According to a report by People magazine in 1988, it was Derrick Johnson, a grocery clerk at a Lucky's grocery store in Newport Beach, who is credited with the inception of turkey bowling. Johnson recalled witnessing a store manager accidentally knocking down a soda bottle while sliding a turkey across the floor, sparking the idea. Additionally, he took on the role of commissioner for the Poultry Bowlers Association and initiated the sport's organization.

Surprisingly, there are people who opt for unconventional fillings when preparing their turkey, such as cereal. A quick online search reveals a plethora of recipes featuring non-traditional stuffing. These range from crackers and waffles to pretzels, grapes, and nuts.

Some people gather to challenge the limits of distance and altitude by launching frozen turkeys. In fact, a group of college students in Indiana took this to the next level in the early 2000s. They came up with the plan of dressing a frozen turkey in a onesie, securing it to a chain, saturating it with lighter fluid, igniting it, and then flinging it across a football field.

Thanksgiving feasts are often so filling that many families take a post-dinner stroll to make room for dessert. It's like taking the "I work out so I can eat" mantra to a whole new level. Of course, packing up leftovers for later is an option. But the post-feast walk is a fun tradition for those who can't resist the temptation of that pumpkin pie.

A family drew inspiration from the typical Thanksgiving customs and introduced their own unique tradition. As an X user shared, their kid initiated a comical Thanksgiving tradition by "roasting" everyone at the table. The idea was that since they roast a turkey, why not extend the roasting to the family members too. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?

Let us all hope for an easy, mild winter!