Short journeys

[ChrisJG]

I have recently found myself doing a number of extremely short journeys (less than a couple of miles) mainly due to the terrible weather we've been having! Am I doing untold damage to my car (S2 111S)? Should I ensure the engine warms all the way up regardless of the weather?

[rfoster]

I do 2 1/2 miles to & from work each day - engine just about get up to temp before I stop. Hasn't caused any problems for in the 2 years I've had my one (S1) or infact in my previous S1 either.

[iccees]

Never do short journeys, really bad thing. Min. 50 miles per trip is ok.
;-)

[s works]

ChrisJG said:

I have recently found myself doing a number of extremely short journeys (less than a couple of miles) mainly due to the terrible weather we've been having! Am I doing untold damage to my car (S2 111S)? Should I ensure the engine warms all the way up regardless of the weather?

No, just don't rag it until the temp is at 87-88ish and has been for a good 10mins to let the oil warm up.

[kevin ritson]

As long as you don't overdo it as said above, it's an engine out of a everyday car that's designed to do short journeys, so no problem. In fact, probably better for the car than driving it every once in a while.

[cej]

short journeys will be OK,just be sure not to rev it to high before the oil is sufficiently warm. I usually stay below 3k rpm the first 10 minutes or so.

[jondude]

As others have said, it is more important that you drive according to engine temperature...so just do not floor it on your journey.

It would be a good idea to take the long way home once a week, though, as short journeys ( in our climate especially ) tend to creat build ups of condensation in both the oil and the insides of the exhaust system.

Modern oils can cope with the water BUT too much will give you an exaggerated dipstick reading...and it will lessen the effect of the oil on the bores. As the engine runs rich on start up to keep an idle, you have too much petrol and water on the bores compared to oil, which equals more wear.

A decent 30-60 minute run once a week ( or two ) will clear all the water, charge the battery ( although yours may still be struggling somwehat ) and loosen things up.

If this is still a hassle, then change the oil at least every 6 months...the more the merrier!