Left My Car, It Drove Off: WTF is Happening?

Imagine this: You, parking your car, stepping out, and then, to your disbelief, seeing your vehicle driving off without you. This isn't just a scenario from a Hollywood movie; it's a real-life situation, often caused by nothing more than a simple mistake or even temporary distraction. Let's dive into understanding this unusual yet occurring event, "left the car and it drove off."

A driver accidentally drove over a huge drop and sent the car into a full roll… only to land perfect
A driver accidentally drove over a huge drop and sent the car into a full roll… only to land perfect

First things first, let's address the question on everyone's mind: how can a car drive off on its own? While it might seem like something out of a science fiction film, the answer is much more mundane. It typically occurs due to one of two reasons: remote start or a running car. Let's explore each in detail.

a woman standing next to an old yellow car in front of a building at night
a woman standing next to an old yellow car in front of a building at night

Remote Start Incidents

Remote start systems, though convenient, can sometimes lead to unexpected situations. They allow you to start your car's engine from a distance, often to warm it up on a cold day or cool it down on a hot one. However, if not used correctly, they can be the driving force (quite literally) behind your car driving off.

a car that has been flipped over in the grass
a car that has been flipped over in the grass

Often, people forget to put their cars in park or to engage the parking brake before using the remote start. In such cases, when the engine starts, the car can roll away. This is more common on sloped surfaces where the car can easily pick up speed without much effort from the engine.

Safe Remote Start Practices

a car that is upside down in the street
a car that is upside down in the street

To avoid such scenarios, always double-check that your car is in park and the parking brake is engaged before using the remote start. If possible, use the remote start in a location where the car can't roll away, like a garage or a flat surface.

Regularly checking and maintaining your remote start system can also help prevent unexpected incidents. A faulty system might not follow the intended commands, leading to unintended consequences.

Carjacking or Theft Concerns

an old rusted out car in a barn
an old rusted out car in a barn

There's a misconception that remote start systems can be easily exploited by thieves to steal cars. While it's true that a thief with the right gear can potentially use the remote signal to start your car, most modern vehicles have security measures in place, like immobilizers, to prevent this.

Moreover, most successful car thefts involve sneaking into a parked car, not driving it off. So, ensuring your doors and windows are locked and considering an alarm system are still your best bets against theft.

Running Car Incidents

Jungle drive crash #1
Jungle drive crash #1

The second leading cause of a car driving off without its owner is leaving the car running unattended. This could happen due to a momentary distraction like a phone call, a quick errand, or even a power outage affecting the keys' signal.

Like remote start incidents, these often occur on sloped surfaces. Even if your car is in park and the parking brake is engaged, a power outage or fluctuation can cause these systems to fail, leading to an unmanned vehicle driving off.

two cars parked side by side in front of each other with the words how it started and how it ended
two cars parked side by side in front of each other with the words how it started and how it ended
a red car that is upside down on its side
a red car that is upside down on its side
a man standing next to a racing car on top of a parking lot near other people
a man standing next to a racing car on top of a parking lot near other people
a silver car flying through the air with trees in the back ground and blue sky behind it
a silver car flying through the air with trees in the back ground and blue sky behind it
Driver Apparently Avoids Serious Injuries in Rollover Crash on Lake Cook Road Near North Driveway of Walmart in Wheeling
Driver Apparently Avoids Serious Injuries in Rollover Crash on Lake Cook Road Near North Driveway of Walmart in Wheeling
a woman is fixing the tire on her car
a woman is fixing the tire on her car
two men standing next to race cars on a track
two men standing next to race cars on a track
the front end of a car that has been dented and is parked in a parking lot
the front end of a car that has been dented and is parked in a parking lot
a red sports car is driving down the road at night with its headlights turned on
a red sports car is driving down the road at night with its headlights turned on
a semi truck that has crashed into the side of a road and landed on it's side
a semi truck that has crashed into the side of a road and landed on it's side

Preventing Running Car Incidents

Always follow the golden rule: never leave your car running unattended, especially on slopes. Even if you're just running a quick errand, taking the time to park properly and turn off your engine can save you from a potential disaster.

If you live in an area prone to power outages, consider installing a backup system for your car's electrical systems. Some advanced systems can even send you notifications if there's an issue with your car while you're away.

What to Do If Your Car Drives Off

If you find yourself in a situation where your car is driving off without you, act quickly and responsibly. Shout a warning to anyone nearby to ensure safety. Then, use your key fob to try and stop the car. If that doesn't work, call local law enforcement. Remember, your safety and the safety of others should always be your top priority.

Finally, while it might seem like a remote possibility, it's essential to be aware of these scenarios to prevent them from happening. Always double-check that your car is secure before stepping away, and if something seems off, trust your instincts. After all, prevention is always better than cure, even when it comes to cars driving off on their own.