Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Short trip durability

[hmartin]

Ok guys this one is a dandy question. How many of you guys make short runs daily around town or on the farm unloaded? Reason I ask is wanting to sell my truck to my dad and he is a retired guy who hits the post office and gas station for coffee every morning. Plus our shop is a about a mile from both of our houses. Once a week truck gets her legs stretched on about 150-300 mile round trip. Curious if this kills the longevity of the motor or doesn't phase the big C. I have had several guys tell me this is hard on a diesel unlike a gas motor.

 

[BTowler]

Can't answer the question on diesels for sure, but short trips are hard on gas motors, and I would imagine for the same reasons it would be hard on diesels. Your engine & oil have an optimal operating temperature range, if you don't drive enough to get in that range it can cause accelerated wear due to the oil being to thick. This is the reason for multi-vis oils, but they aren't a perfect solution.

 

[Truckie]

Any type of short trip driving is going to hard on a engine rather it be a diesel or a gaser.

This past year I had a job that was only 5 minutes from home and the CTD was my only mod of transportation and I have had no problem with the short trip to and from work.

In the colder weather just start it up and let it warm up for about 5 to 8 minutes, or plug it in. In the summer now there should not be a problem. If your really worried about getting up to operating temp then just take the long way to the shop of coffee shop every other day. I really don't see this being a problem.

MIKE

 

[Wiredawg]

I make short trips less than a mile

Ilive about a mile from work. I startup, idle about a minute and drive it easy. There is usually a line going into the base, so I engage the exhaust brake to get engine temp up. Temp is usually at first mark on normal operating temp. I just lost my VP-44, but I don't think it's related to my short trips.



Wiredawg

 

[Houser]

I try not to use mine for short trips. It loud and doesnt get good milage untill its warmed up.



houser

 

[JJW_ND]

Not going to hurt a thing!

As long as you take a trip once a month or so that is more then an hours drive at interstate speeds to get things good and warm you will be fine.



I drive 5 miles to work. I wait just long enough to get oil presure before I start driving. Over the last several years there has been two Decembers were daily temps averaged below zero. Engine oil temps never get above 170 for entire month.



Oil analysis always comes back fine.



As long as you keep oil in the engine and drive sensable, short trips are fine.



jjw

ND

 

[Forrest Nearing]

it'll be fine

 

[Hohn]

You have to realize that you're on a sliding scale here, with one end being "never wears out" and the other being " lasts 350,000 miles".



I would say the CTD could probably do start & stop for many years without harm.



I would also say that in a Dodge Truck running empty at highway speed, the thing would last longer than the driver will

 

[amillstream]

The truck will fall apart before he wears the motor out.

 

[hmartin]

That is what I like to hear. If it is like the 91 3. 0 ranger I drive that was bought new by my grandpa, given to my dad, and then given to me, it should be good for 300,000 plus miles. Thanks all!

 

[ntillm01]

Short trips can be "hard" on an engine... true. But, what I know it that it's more because of things not burning off, possibly causing sticking valves that is the real "hard" impact on an engine. This applied to gas and diesel engines.

Like was stated before, periodically get is running to full operating temp and a good bit of highway (45mph plus) driving and maybe a few WOT spurts to do the following:

1) Get the deposits burned off of valve stems.

2) Get the coolant flowing good with the thermostat open.

3) Get the oil(s) good and warm to evaporate andy condensation.

4) Give the batteries a good full charge.



Regular maintenance, and as popular opinion is here, it should run as long as the driver will.