Is is true that repeatedly driving short distances is harmful to a car???

Question

If so, what exactly does this do to a car?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hogwash, it just eats gas.

Answer 2

It mostly affects your fuel economy and your oil life. When an engine is cold, the fuel system richens the air/fuel mixture until the engine is at normal operating temperature. Older cars use a choke, newer ones are computer-controlled, but the effect is the same. A cold engine needs a richer air/fuel misture to run smoothly. You don't get very good mileage during this warm-up period, so if you spend all your time driving this way, you'll spend more on fuel. However, that being said, when your engine is cold, the clearances between the pistons and the cylinder walls is greater, which means that more exhaust and unburned fuel gets by the pistons and into the crankcase, where it dilutes and contaminates the oil, which can lead to increased wear. For the same reason, oil gets in to the cylinders, and a cold engine tends to consume more oil. Once the engine heats up, the pistons fit tighter, and these two issues are minimized. Another issue involves the viscosity of engine oil. It is somewhat thicker at low temperature, which means that it doesn't flow as easily. It's also sitting at the bottom of the engine. Starting a cold engine with all that cold oil at the bottom makes it more difficult for the oil pump to force that oil througn the engine, especially into the upper parts of the engine, so lubrication suffers until the oil is hot and easier to pump. This is exactly why in very cold climates, some people use what is called a "block heater" that warms the engine to keep the oil thin enough to flow and keeps the coolant from freezing. Most newer cars, however, are designed to warm up very quickly in order to reduce emissions, so driving even less than a mile will fully warm up your engine. Yet another issue is that if you always drive short distances, you will be starting your car much more frequently, which puts more stress on the starter and the battery, so in the long run you may be replacing one or both of them somewhat more frequently. The best thing you can do is to change your oil frequently if driving like this is a way of life.

Answer 3

It is somewhat true. It does two things - it causes you to start up the car many times more than an average driver does in the same number of miles. Most people measure a car's longivity by miles, but the wear and tear is greater at starts. So while the car may take a lot of abuse in terms of number of startups, it won't appear that it lasted very long.

The second thing it does is by never reaching full operating temperature, the engine may not adequately cook out moisture and possibly fuel that gets into the oil. This is not a huge concern, but it should make some difference in oil quality.

Answer 4

You will end up causing carbon build up in the engine, and fouling the spark plugs. When you drive short distances, you never let the car get up to operating tempature, or "closed loop" which means the vehicle is always running rich cause the oxygen sensors never get a chance to be activated. You always need to take a vehicle on the highway now and then and "blow it out" so to speak.

Answer 5

"Me again" explained it very well and YES, short runs will gunk up the inside of an engine. When I overhaul an engine, I can tell how it was run by the amount of sludge in the oil pan and under the valve covers. Industrial engines that are run for long periods of time under heavy loads are extremely clean; take a rag, wipe out the oil pan and they're ready for reassembly. Engines run for short periods of time with light loads and especially in winter are filthy inside. It takes serious scrubbing to get rid of the crud. If you make a lot of short runs during the winter, change your oil more often.

Answer 6

Yes, driving a short distance usually does not let the car get fully warmed up, and condensation does not get a chnace to burn off with heat in your oil. Its a good idea to take it out on the highway at least once a week and get it fully warmed up, driving about 30 miles,.

Answer 7

it will also rest out your muffler. They condensation that is created by the hot exhaust does not get evaporated on a short trip. then it just sits in the muffler after you turn the engine off.

Answer 8

Hey, just starting your car every time causes wear and tear, look every thing you do to your cars causes some kind of wear and tear,

DO not worry yourself about something like this, just tread lightly and keep your motor oil changed on time.

Answer 9

BAD GAS MILEAGE.

HARDER ON VEHICLE.

HARDER ON COMPONENTS.

LESS WARM UP TIME.

MORE MOISTURE IN SYSTEM.

AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING.

Answer 10

IMO it's no worse than highway driving.