It needs a good run...
Discussion
Last weekend we’re off to an Xmas party around 70 miles from home and my OH says “we’ll go in my car, it needs a good run” We’ve all heard this before, probably from our dad
So in the modern world, of self adjusting ECU’s, is this fact or fallacy? Does it make any real difference or is it just something that has filtered down as an urban myth over the last 50 years?
BTW, the OHs car is a 4 year-old Yaris with a 1.8 VVTi under the bonnet, that does around 50 to 70 miles per week - it was good to let it stretch it's legs though. Didn't seem to drive any different though (before/after)....
I think it`s still a good idea.
Engines need to be used to stay at their best.
With increasing emissions related crap fitted to modern cars such as DPF`s it`s possibly even more important.
I would far rather buy a car that`s been "driven" rather than just pootled around town its whole life.
Engines need to be used to stay at their best.
With increasing emissions related crap fitted to modern cars such as DPF`s it`s possibly even more important.
I would far rather buy a car that`s been "driven" rather than just pootled around town its whole life.
When I worked 3 miles away and drove (I started at 5am, don't judge), after a couple of weeks of short journeys my car ran lumpy and made a number of unusual knocks and squeaks. After a solid hour-long thrashing, it ran sweet as a nut. I think the worst thing you can do to an engine is not use it or not let it warm up properly.
Now I work 30 miles away, it always runs smoothly (or at least as smooth as you can expect with 117k on the clock).
Now I work 30 miles away, it always runs smoothly (or at least as smooth as you can expect with 117k on the clock).
Many moons ago an elderly relative had a giffer spec Nissan Micra automatic that she used to go to the shops in once a week. In did about 3000 miles a year if that, and I don't think she ever had it above 50.
I would sometimes borrow it when my own car was broken and I drove it like any teenage lad would. She used to think I 'serviced' it every time I borrowed it because she reckoned it ran so much better after I'd been driving it like my trousers were on fire and razzing it up the motorway at 80 for a week....
Even now I think it does a town bound car a whole lot of good giving it an Italian tune up every 6 weeks.
I would sometimes borrow it when my own car was broken and I drove it like any teenage lad would. She used to think I 'serviced' it every time I borrowed it because she reckoned it ran so much better after I'd been driving it like my trousers were on fire and razzing it up the motorway at 80 for a week....
Even now I think it does a town bound car a whole lot of good giving it an Italian tune up every 6 weeks.
rigga said:
jimbobsimmonds said:
Getting the engine up to temperature for an extended period of time is good for the oil as it evaporates any polutants that are in the oil...
And getting the oil up to temp takes far longer than geting the coolant hot .....
If my car has been running around town or cruising and then driven with a bit of spirit it feels odd, a bit unresponsive, lethargic.
After a little spirited driving it feels much much better - better response, more urgency. Plenty of other owners have noted the same thing. It would appear that the adaptive learning tends to optimise for the driving you are doing, so when not being used "properly" it pulls back.
Regardless, a run isn't going to do a car any harm..
After a little spirited driving it feels much much better - better response, more urgency. Plenty of other owners have noted the same thing. It would appear that the adaptive learning tends to optimise for the driving you are doing, so when not being used "properly" it pulls back.
Regardless, a run isn't going to do a car any harm..
I gave the MIL's civic automatic a run to London and back, twice within 24 hours. Before that it was only driven around town, no more than 40mph. I gave it a good 'legal' run, felt a lot more better for it. It drove like a bag full of crap when I picked it up, it went back like a bag a quarter full of crap.
(Side note, whoever decided that sticking an auto box on a 1.4 civic (circa 2000, rover 45 shape) needs to be shot.)
(Side note, whoever decided that sticking an auto box on a 1.4 civic (circa 2000, rover 45 shape) needs to be shot.)
zeduffman said:
When I worked 3 miles away and drove (I started at 5am, don't judge), after a couple of weeks of short journeys my car ran lumpy and made a number of unusual knocks and squeaks. After a solid hour-long thrashing, it ran sweet as a nut. I think the worst thing you can do to an engine is not use it or not let it warm up properly.
Now I work 30 miles away, it always runs smoothly (or at least as smooth as you can expect with 117k on the clock).
Same boat as you were, work 3.6 miles away. So I go out for a good drive every 2 months or so, always feels better afterwards.Now I work 30 miles away, it always runs smoothly (or at least as smooth as you can expect with 117k on the clock).
This subject came up a little while ago, there was many replies, most going with the belief that car's benefit more from getting taken on a good long drive to get all fluids up to proper temperature, let any build ups burn off and generally let it stretch it's legs so to speak.
My car always feels a bit better after being taken for a 150+ mile drive. Work is only a 4 mile drive and college is 13 miles down the motorway, so it does get some use but still gets a long run once a month.
My car always feels a bit better after being taken for a 150+ mile drive. Work is only a 4 mile drive and college is 13 miles down the motorway, so it does get some use but still gets a long run once a month.
Cliftonite said:
rigga said:
jimbobsimmonds said:
Getting the engine up to temperature for an extended period of time is good for the oil as it evaporates any polutants that are in the oil...
And getting the oil up to temp takes far longer than geting the coolant hot .....Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff