Short trips

[vdub]

I have a friend who's looking at buying a 3500, but he says it will be the wifes rig and she will be driving it daily 2 miles back and forth to work. Some of it will be during northern US winters. Will the pickup hold up to that kind of driving? I told him I thought he might have to do more frequent oil changes and it is certainly best to always bring the rig up to full operating temp, but I don't know if it will necessarily be harmed. What do you guys think? I'm a long way away from knowing anything about this subject. Thanks.

 

[thejeepdude]

It would be a good idea to take it on a longer trip once in a while to heat things up, but as long as you change the oil regularly it will last fine. Just make sure to get the heated seats, because there's no way you're going to get hot air within 2 miles!

 

[05mxdiesel]

Should be fine, just make sure he runs a fuel addative, to keep the injectors from carboning up during the short trips. Also tell him not to be afraid to blow the cobwebs out of it on the weekends by towing. Use the block heater so the trucks heats up a little faster.

 

[vdub]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the quick feedback.

 

[rbattelle]

Definitely use the block heater!



-Ryan

 

[fkovalski]

Definitely use the block heater!

Would it be prudent to do this even in the summer for short trips? Summers at 10,000 feet can get into the 40's so it wouldn't be too far out of range.

 

[RMachida]

Thank you,

I was wondering the same since I only have to drive about 3 miles to work. I was planning on using my old car especially during the winter to minimize the number of cold starts and short trips. From what I remember, a lot of moisture could accumulate in the oil if the engine isn't fully warmed up. Maybe the block heater helps midigate that. For those in colder climates, are you also using a pan heater? If so where are you placing it and what wattage?

 

[fkovalski]

... For those in colder climates, are you also using a pan heater? If so where are you placing it and what wattage?

I have just used the block heater here where it has hit as low as -23 at times. It will start if it has been plugged in, but there have been times when I have forgotten to do so and it is a real pain in the AM to start. Sometimes unsuccessful in attempts to try and have had to plug in for 30 minutes or so plus cycling.



This was on my '01 that I just traded. I will have to see on the '05 where is suposedly starts better than previous years. We'll see about that!

 

[jwduke]

I know my '04. 5 starts better than my '95 ever thought of. Do what the other guys have recommended, and I don't really think you will have any problems. Good luck!

 

[rbattelle]

Would it be prudent to do this even in the summer for short trips?

Just my opinion:



Nah, I wouldn't do it in the summer. If it were me, I'd plug in if overnight temps were going to be below 50 or so and I was short tripping it 2 or 3 miles in the morning.



Only my opinion!



-Ryan