Short trips?

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Mar 11, 2008 | 10:29 AM

Svelte_C5

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,105

Likes: 1

From: Texas

St. Jude Donor '09

Short trips?

I have heard more than once that small trips (<5miles) are harmful on your car.

I live about 1 mile from my work and take my c5 to and from every day, and am beginning to wonder what (if any) damage I might be doing...

Mar 11, 2008 | 11:31 AM

DefenderC5

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 3,447

Likes: 6

From: Los Angeles

Your are doing stop and go short trips on a cold engine. The engine is not getting up to temp to evaporate any moisture out of the oil. Oil is not getting where it needs to go as easily as a warm engine running at temp. It won't damage your car right away... but it is not good for longevity at all.

I also live a mile from work, I just bought a $900 beater for the trip. 30 mpg, runs perfect, can park it anywhere, and costs $11 a month to insure. Don't be jealous of the pic... those dents are for speed

Mar 11, 2008 | 11:36 AM

EZEDDIE

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 450

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From: Northern N.J. NJ

Don't worry. Just drive it and enjoy.

Mar 11, 2008 | 11:44 AM

Humanoid 2.0

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 124,503

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From: .... NJ

Cruise-In VII Veteran

St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19

The oil life monitor will take into account the short trips and reduce the oil life accordingly. Try to take it on a longer drive to get every thing up to temperature once a week if you could. Don't worry about it too much though.

Mar 11, 2008 | 12:00 PM

lockmart

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,758

Likes: 4

From: Wesley Chapel FL

Hey now I have a good reason to take it out for a long trip on the weekend! Mine gets used as a daily driver now (3.8 miles each way).

Mar 11, 2008 | 12:10 PM

Svelte_C5

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,105

Likes: 1

From: Texas

St. Jude Donor '09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humanoid 2.0

Try to take it on a longer drive to get every thing up to temperature once a week if you could.

I do take it on a 30 mile round trip a few times a week for night classes at the local university.

Mar 11, 2008 | 03:56 PM

e6bailey

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,671

Likes: 4

From: MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZEDDIE

Don't worry. Just drive it and enjoy.

I have never herd about short trips being harmfull, not sure I would worry about it.

Mar 11, 2008 | 04:24 PM

RonJ

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,106

Likes: 1

From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humanoid 2.0

Generally speaking, short one mile drives are very tough on the oil, it never gets hot enough to eliminate the condensation from moisture and blow-by, both unavoidable.

You may well be right in saying that the OLM will call for an oil change real early with the one mile trips and no harm will be done. If you are in a cooler climate, the problem is even greater! ( Svelte_c5, your avatar doesn't say where you hang your hat)

RonJ ...