What is minimum driving distance?

[BigMike]

My daughter got her drivers license today so I have to give up my old 1984 Toyota to her. I was using it to go back and forth to work, which is only 3 miles one way. Now all I have is my Ram or my bicycle. I'll ride my bike sometimes, but in winter or extreme heat, I'll be driving my truck. My question is: Is it ok to drive my truck such a short distance on a frequent basis? It won't even have a chance to really warm up. Will I create any damage or otherwise shorten the lifespan of my truck?



Thanks in advance.

 

[sberrio]

I'm by no means an expert, but hears what I think:

Short trips are not good for any engine or drivetrain. You get condensation buildup in oil and fluids. Someone also told me that something "corosive" would build up in engine. Not to mention horrible fule milage! If you have to drive it on short trips, take the scenic route at least twice a week. Let it run at operating temp for a while, let everything burn off.

I also know my father, who is a comercial fisherman, would NEVER shut down a cold diesel. These detroit diesels last 25+ years, and get worked MUCH harder than we can work a Dodge pickup.

Just my 2 cents.

simon

 

[Okie-Go]

Nor am I an expert but this is one reason I change oil 3000 miles instead of the 5000-7500 like some of the guys. It is about 7 miles to where I work at. Of course it don't get that cold down here either, just a little cool sometimes.

 

[illflem]

Since I moved closer to town, 7 miles, my CTD sits, I drive the Toyota. Even after 14 miles the Cummins is barely warmed up. Condensation in the oil that isn't burned off turns to acid, not good. Condensation in the exhaust system turns to rust. If you must do the short drive try to get out on the hiway for a 40 mile cruise once a week to burn the condensation off. Beater car may be in order, biggest drawback is the dang insurance.

 

[Oasis-3]

Big Mike Before I got on to TDR I got a new 1996 Dodge Diesel I drove it to work 4 miles and 4 miles home always used Fram oil filters

This truck ran very good for 4 1/2 years.

I wanted the Q Cab so now I have a 2001. 5 and TDR.

I moved so now I drive 8 miles each way and never use Fram filters. I do run it about once a week on the highway and heat it up real good



Good Luck

Cliff

 

[LSMITH]

On the other hand, the engine is severely over built for our application in most cases. It will last 200K miles with little care, and 400K with modest care. If you are not going to keep it for 200K miles or more just drive it and change the oil every 5 or 7K miles. If you are going to keep it forever then a beater car or 3K mile oil changes would be in order. If you change the oil every 3K miles or so you are not going to hurt anything by driving it 3 miles each way. Things tend to get way out of hand (on the conservative side ) on this forum where maintenance is concerned.

 

[Cummins4Life]

I drove my dodge to high school the last few months of my senior year, round trip was about 4 miles.

 

[BigMike]

I do change my oil every 3000 miles and make at least one high speed trip somewhere once a week. Sounds like I'm ok. Don't want to buy another car. Parking problems on my street and insurance. Already got 4 headaches to take care of plus my 5er.

 

[azcummins]

I used to drive my truck 3 miles each way back and forth to school for 2 years and I just changed my oil every 3k to keep the oil happy. It isn't good for the truck, but I think if you get it out on the interstate once a week or more then that "blows" the stuff out.

 

[Bigsaint]

Take the scenic route

Well, that's what i do. Who would have ever thought that living too close to work would be a problem . Work is a short 7 miles from me, on the direct route. I take the scenic route, 15 miles, back and forth most everyday. It gives me the proper mindset while enroute to work and relaxes me on the way home. I also change my oil at every 3,000 miles, cheap insurance.



Scott W.

 

[wyosteve]

OK guys, I'm not a rocket scientist, but will someone explain to me how there is "condensation" in their oil? My understanding of condensation is water in it's liquid form which will then go to it's gaseous state once it hits the boiling point. I can understand the condensation in the exhaust system since it is "open" and cool air can flow in, but how would condensation get into a closed oil system?

 

[illflem]

It's not a closed system, i. e. blowby.

 

[BV]

Short hops & Condensation

BigMike - Do what you gotta do but you might look into changing your oil on time based interval instead of mileage. If you didn't have any other trips except for work then you would be changing out your oil every 23 months or 3000 miles.



WyoSteve - You kind of answered your own question in that the engine is warm/hot and when it cools off it will draw cool/cold air in through the crankcase breather, intake and exhaust which can lead to condensation internally.



BTW - It takes 9 miles to get my 99 up to normal water temp so I'm sure it takes longer to heat the whole system to operating temperature.