Turbo Timers

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Hey ppl..

Quick question - are turbo timers legal in NSW. If i'm getting a car registered for the first time will it be an issue.

From what I had heard, it's illegal to leave your car when it is running, which is what happens when you use a turbo timer.

Forgive my ignorance ..

[itbmils]

Hey ppl..  

Quick question - are turbo timers legal in NSW. If i'm getting a car registered for the first time will it be an issue.

From what I had heard, it's illegal to leave your car when it is running, which is what happens when you use a turbo timer.

Forgive my ignorance ..

I fairly sure it IS illegal to leave your car while running - but I also had problems getting insurance for my R32 GTR if it had a timer.

I needed a 3 point immobiliser that auto armed with 30 seconds - otherwise no insurance

HtH

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Yeah - see that's what i'm slightly worried about - just cars said " as long as it is a legal turbo timer it'll be fine, best to contact the RTA"..

if they feel that it was not legal, they hold all right to null the insurance contract

[Phil Megroin]

Really?

No idea,

I'm with just cars and managed to get insurance no hassles..turbo timer declared as well.

[foznice]

yeah, wouldn't mind finding out if this is legal in Victoria also. I have heard it is illegal to have a car running unatennded. Could it have anything to do with the saftey aspect as well? Eg. if you have a accident where its bad, and then turbo timer may keep the engine running and fuel pumping then it might not be too pretty.

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I think there is also the other aspect of people stealing your car.. not too sure, i'll ring the RTA today and see what they say.

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Ok, I contacted the RTA.

Here is the response from them

Anthony,

 

Turbo timers are illegal in NSW.

 

There are a number of reasons.

 

1: Where a vehicle was built to meet the Australian Design Rules, from 1972, it is a defect if the key can be removed from the ignition switch while the engine is still running.

 

2: Under NSW law, it is an offence to leave the engine running on an unattended vehicle.

 

If you have any other enquiries, don't hesitate to reply or contact Technical Enquiries on 1300 137 302.

Regards

Colin Lambert

Technical Enquiries Officer

Just thought everyone might be ineterested.

[Phil Megroin]

oh ok,

well i know it kinda defeats the purpose.. but i have to wait for my turbo timer to count down before i leave the car anyway - cant arm the alarm while the engine's still running..

Its not much of a hassle to leave the car runnin for an extra minute before u leave it.. unless ur in a rush.

[lwells]

As has already been noted in this thread, there are three main reasons why turbo timers are a bad idea:

1) They are illegal as your vehicle remains running with the key removed and unattended.

2) They keep the fuel pump primed after an accident. Personally I would prefer not to burn to death.

3) They provide thieves with a very good indicator of which wires to go for. They also often have problems with alarms.

Spend you money on something else that actually improves performance or comfort. If your worried about your turbos, either don't boost the whole way home or go for a slow drive around the block before parking. Personally I just try a drive off-boost for the last couple of minutes of my journey (which, given I live in inner-western Sydney with lots of pedestrians/traffic, is a good idea anyway).

LW.

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Do many ppl have issues with this in regards to insurance. Justcars said "providing it is legal".. means i'm going to have to get it removed possibly.. hmm..