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    How long can you leave a car engine idling in Finland?

    Warming up the car in winter.

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    Short answer

    The Road Traffic Act says the engine of a combustion-engine vehicle must not be kept running for more than two minutes if the vehicle is standing for a reason other than an unavoidable traffic obstacle. Before setting off, the engine may run for up to four minutes if the frost is more than 15 degrees Celsius. The engine may also run before starting off or starting work with a vehicle or machine for the time needed to make it ready for operation.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    Why

    1. Maximum two minutes.
    2. Four minutes before driving below −15 °C.
    3. Traffic queues are exempt.

    Details

    The rule is in section 55 of the Road Traffic Act as amended in 2020.

    Tip

    Use a block heater on cold mornings instead of a long warm-up.

    What may differ

    Penalties for idling are set in the Act's penalty provisions; check them if needed.

    Common misconception

    In winter you may idle as long as you like to warm the car.

    What actually happens

    Even in hard frost the limit before setting off is four minutes.

    People also ask

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    • How does a fuel-operated car heater work?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules and fees change, so check Traficom, Liikenneturva or the police before you drive.

    Transport, roads, car rental

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      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland says a nationality sign is required on foreign cars in Finland, unless the vehicle is registered in a country that is party to the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention and carries EU number plates with the country code.

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    • What colour are motorway and main road signs in Finland?

      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto) says main roads in Finland have blue direction signs with white text, while motorways have green signs with white text.

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    • Does E10 petrol increase fuel consumption?

      VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland tested six used E10-compatible cars from model years 1999–2010 in laboratory conditions in 2011.

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    • Which petrol should you use in Finland, 95E10 or 98E5?

      Finnish pumps sell two main petrol grades: 95E10, with an octane rating of at least 95 and up to 10% ethanol, and 98E5, with at least 98 octane and up to 5% ethanol.

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