We all see super low mileage cars for sale these days, and I often hear that short trips aren't particularly good for the car. I don't always have a chance to take my 2007 V8 Vantage out for a longer run, so the question is, does it make more sense to run it for more errands, or is is better to save up the runs for when I can get it well warmed up (50 miles or more)? There's probably no scientific answer to that question, but I'm interested in the approach others take to avoid 'garage rot' etc. in their stable.

 

I try to make it at least a 10 mile drive if I'm going to take it out. It takes a while to warm up 10 liters of oil.

 

i think the logic is that if the engine does not reach full operating temperature the trip can be less than useful. something about the evils of condensation...guess it makes sense. *shrug*

 

If I need to drive, I am driving.

 

The advice I was told was if you were going to only drive 600 miles per year, make it 50 per month, not 600 all at one time.

 

I am of the opinion that as long as you reach optimal engine temp, that's a long enough drive to keep the engine happy.

If I have a short drive to do, and the temp isn't where it's supposed to be, I'll drive around until it's at operating temp and then finish the trip at my destination.

This has, at times, driven my wife crazy, BUT I've owned a lot of allegedly unreliable vehicles over the years (Alfa Romeo, Jaguar) and I have always had near zero mechanical issues following this protocol.

Also, no cold starts without IMMEDIATELY driving and coming up to temp. If I'm moving the car ten feet on a cold engine, it's going for a drive whether I need to go anywhere or not.

 

+1 Agreed. The important fact is not how often you drive but getting the engine up to operating temperature whenever you drive.

 

What is the detriment to the engine by only going a short distance (pulling car out of garage into driveway) and not getting the engine up to operating temps?

 

Quite a few reasons.

The engine oil does not reach optimal temperature to properly lubricate the engine. The alternator cannot recharge the battery to its prior state. The most important factor however is the effect not reaching operation temperature can have on the engine and the exhaust system

The mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber produces carbon and water. If the engine does not warm up enough the water and condensation will not burn off. Water left in the cylinders can damage the cylinder walls; water left in the tail pipe can damage the exhaust system.

I am not suggestion that a few short trips, or starting the car to move it out of the garage will result in engine failure. However it should not be the norm.

 

If you need to move your car out of the garage or onto the driveway etc. for what ever reason. I would not worry about it.

 

Exactly, these are not hard and fast rules, just smart guidelines for decreasing engine/exhaust issues over the long haul, whenever possible.

 

I use to take care of a private auto collection in college (1990's). I had to push a 911 in & out of the garage to dry the floor where I would wash it place in the garage. Luckily it was usually the row closest to the garage door.

Oil coats cylinders much better and longer than motor oil did 20 years ago. Pushing a car in the garage to avoid unnecessary starts has its own risks which are more painful than an unnecessary start.

 

^^^ This. Just reaching operating temp isn't enough -- the engine needs to run for a reasonable time at operating temp. The oil, of course, takes a lot longer to each operating temp than the coolant does, so when the coolant temp gauge reaches normal the oil still has a lot of warming up to do. I agree that an occasional short trip isn't a problem, but most trips should be long enough to run the car for a while at full temp. IMO, 25-30 miles is enough to be good for the engine.

 

I use it when I am in the mood and for the time I can. 3 min or 300 min. I am still convinced that this car will last longer than I do.

 

I agree 100%. If I needed to drive 25 - 30 miles every time I wanted to use my car, I would never use it. Would just sell the delicate thing then.