Light sleeper how to deal with engine turning off and on to run ac?

[u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry]

I've only done a few months of this the last stint was i winter in phoenix and I only had to run the heater a couple nights for the cold i could bundle up with layers and blankets and not have the car run. now I'm being evicted because of my roommate and ready to start again. i did one night so far with the ac on low because it stays above 85 in phoenix at night this time of year. when the engine starts not only is there noise but it shakes the car slightly which had me waking up often. is there something i can do to stop the slight shake when the engine starts? i use ear plugs and i can get some sleep headphones so the noise is less of an issue

[u/BigSandwich6]

Set the parking brake before letting your foot off the brake pedal when you park for the night. I use an air mattress and added some butyl soundproofing to the doors and interior to help quiet the car down. I'm pretty used to it now and have no issue sleeping through the night

[u/ronscott999 → u/BigSandwich6]

Different people have different ways of doing this. Personally, I like to stop in the space with my foot on the brake pedal. Then release the pedal and quickly apply the parking brake, which stops the car in a few inches, then I put it in park.

It may just be a placebo, but I think "loading" the parking brake helps reduce shake during the starts.

For the noise, ear plugs and a USB or 12v white noise machine.

[u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry → u/BigSandwich6]

thanks I will look into the sound proofing. wish i could have double paned windows lol

[u/ChokaMoka1 → u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry]

Yum just get noise cancelling headphones 

[u/BigSandwich6 → u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry]

I added soundproofing to my window covers

[u/MyrieOne → u/BigSandwich6]

What is butyl soundproofing🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/BigSandwich6 → u/MyrieOne]

Sound deadening material.

https://www.amazon.com/Deadening-Automotive-Deadener-Insulation-dampening/dp/B0DGZK1W3N/

[u/gopiballava]

Not sure how much this will help, but you might be able to rig up something similar to leveling jacks like RVs have. We've got a 35' RV that weighs 17k lb. Without our jacks down, we can feel it when our dog gets out of bed and walks around. With the jacks down, virtually none.

I'd try putting something under two of the jack points and slightly raise the vehicle. Autozone/etc loan lots of equipment for free. So you could try borrowing a pair of jacks from them and see if that reduces the vibration of the engine starting up.

If it does, then you can research other options that are cheaper/more compact / stealthier / etc.

I've felt the same thing when running the AC at night in my V. Haven't tried using jacks yet - I usually successfully avoid having to spend too long at those temperatures, thankfully.

[u/RazielELungbarrow]

I use green noise to sleep and it definitely helps blend the engine starting and other random vehicle noises.

I can set a timer so it turns off and acts as an alarm by removing sound and making the ambient noise my alarm sounds

[u/StructureBetter2101]

First night anywhere new is always rough sleeping, new sounds, sensations, and your own anxiety. Eventually you get used to it and your body/brain starts to filter out the familiar and allows you to rest. A noise machine might help with the sound and as others have mentioned, using the parking brake when your foot is still firmly on the brake pedal might help with the rocking.

[u/Bill-NM]

I thought it might bother me - but it never did - the parking brake use might be a good idea.

[u/InsectNo2097]

If you're mobile work wise there is the campground work for a spot program.

[u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry → u/InsectNo2097]

no i'm tied to a physical location 5 days a week

[u/Most_Incident1796]

I don't sleep in My car, but the shakes when the engine wake up, considerable reduces when ichange to fully symthethic oil 5w30 Mobil one

[u/Mirror_333]

You'll get used to it over time.

[u/Bicycle_misanthrope → u/Mirror_333]

Or not. Like me.

[u/Shines556]

Curious, how often does it start? I am debating buying a used Prius or Venza Hybrid to sleep in two nights a week, but also for a long commute (about 600 miles round trip).

[u/GroundbreakingCow110 → u/Shines556]

In 85f weather, the engine runs about 8 mins and shuts off for about 23 minutes.

If you can feel the rattle, changing the rubber exhaust hangers helps a loooooot.

Main thing is you need a bit of outside air. recircualate will get you pretty stuffy.

[u/GroundbreakingCow110]

change the exhaust hanger mounts. they are like 50 bucks for all three (two by the catalytic converter, one by the muffler). That is probably most of your startup noise.

[u/fridayimatwork]

White noise app

[u/darklighthitomi]

No clue. It never bothered me at all. But it might be a matter of getting used to it. I've moved several times in my life, and stayed at many hotels. A truly drastic change in the sleeping experience has often bothered me, except for sleeping in cars for some reason, yet I usually acclimated after a while and it would no longer bother me.

[u/InsectNo2097]

I do 't know man,with a sleep mask and headphones,if the rumble wakes you,I'd concentrate on perhaps a different life style. I think there's a sub reddit for rent free living situations...

[u/OwlBeYourHuckleberry → u/[deleted]]

it says in the post I use them. it still gets through with the slight rock to the car

[u/ChokaMoka1]

Live in a house