Best advice for VERY short trips

Thorn · May 23, 2005

What is the best plan of attack for very short trip driving, other than not doing it? My wife drives my kindergarten-aged son to the bus stop five days a week. When he gets older it will be close enough to walk to, but by then my two-year old daughter will be getting driven there.

With all of the headlines in today's news, I can't say that I want them walking to the bus stop, which is probably less than a quarter-mile away.

I have learned here that short-trip driving is tough on oil, so what is the best plan as far as which oil & filter to use and the optimum OCI?

The vehicle is a Honda 3.5L V6 with 11K. NE PA weather ranges from 90 degrees plus in the summer to below zero in the winter.

Pablo · May 23, 2005

Why not (have your wife) walk with your kids?

This is the worst kind of stuff on a car - so you are right to be concerned.

1) Buy a beater for this purpose. I would not do this to any newer car.

2) Get a full block heater set up.
3) Start car early - yes idling excessively is bad, the drive kids then drive a mile or two.
4) Make sure car is highway driven at least 4 times per week.
5) Use a robust TBN, synthetic oil (for fast pumping) and still change frequently.

You asked!

Audi Junkie · May 23, 2005

Extend the trips as much as possible.

I'm in NEPA too!

Steve S · May 23, 2005

Change the oil often ,the car use pattern is just how it is,don't worry about it.

Geoff · May 23, 2005

For this usage pattern change the oil more often (most manuals state no more than 3750 miles for this kind of service). Since the engine is running rich during warm up you'll get more unburned fuel in the oil. Lighter oil will flow faster.

The block heater or parking in a heated garage is a great idea if you're really wanting to get the most longevity.

andrews · May 23, 2005

Have her walk the child. This is very bad for the engine....especially in a Pennsylvania winter. If a drive is the only option (I doubt that), continue the drive to include other needed chores like groceries. I read somewhere that it takes about twenty minutes to fully warm up an engine while driving.

jarmstrong · May 23, 2005

get a big dog if you're worried about them walking or have her get her carry permit

or listen to the other responses

Thorn · May 23, 2005

Thanks for the replies. I'm working on the carry permit for her.

It's hard to get someone to understand why they should walk when there is a perfectly good ride in the driveway. She doesn't want to hear about fuel dilution, oxidation, oil temperatures, condensation in the exhaust, etc. She just wants to get in the car and go.

To be quite honest, I don't blame her. Walking with a two year old and five year old through rain, wind, snow, etc. is no picnic. Also, the bus isn't exactly on time everyday, which would require the three of them to stand there and wait in the elements - also not a pleasurable experience with kids this age. They're not making kids (or wives) as tough as they used to.

After I'm convinced the engine has been broken in, I'll probably switch to synthetic, keep the OCIs short and hope for the best.

medic · May 23, 2005

I have this same problem...well kinda...no kids, just multiple short trips.

Anyway, after thinking about it, I have opted not to extend trips to a few miles becuase the oil still doesn't get up to temp and I am actually creating addition wear on the engine driving more miles with cold oil. So, DON'T extend your trips just to save your oil. All you are doing is wasting gas and causing addition unwarrented wear to your engine.

I posted a similar question back in December. The general idea was that it is kinda stupid to drive more just to save the oil. Check this thread: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=001064

Gary Allan · May 23, 2005

Well, Thorn, can I assume that you drive as well? (yes, I know you do) ...isn't there a rotation of vehicles that would satisfy your wife's needs to "get in a go" and yet allow the vehicle abuse to be more favorably distributed?

Howbow an "every other" week swap? ..or does your ride somehow put a kink in that plan??

If that's not an option, then pan warmers and block heaters would be your next move. This naturally assumes that your wife is willing to tolerate the added anxiety of having to unplug them before use. This can be a ritual that, although to us it may seem very simple, is pushed into some little enclave in the significant other's mind that it is a lame inconvenience that you've inflicted upon their already full plate (the universal constant is that the plate is always "full" ..the size of the plate appears to vary from female to female, however) This will include a "I forgot" on at least one occasion ..which will break either the aparatus ..or mar some grill (paint, molding, etc.) and you will be the blame.

We are then left with choices of our own. Just shrug and accept the needless and sensless degradation to a perfectly good vehicle ..or the side effects of attempting to reduce it.

[ May 24, 2005, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

Thorn · May 23, 2005

I drive the '97 Subaru Legacy (2.2L) with 173K to work everday, which is 50 miles one way (all highway). Would it be a good idea for me to drive the Honda, say once a week, to make sure it gets up to temp at least once a week?

The Subaru does get much better gas mileage, and it would be an inconvenience to reposition the two car seats, but maybe it would be worth the added expense, miles on the newer vehicle, and wife's complaining.

michaelc80 · May 24, 2005

Just a thought....

It can't be raining/snowing everyday they are in school. The walk with mom might do them some good when the weather permits. Fresh air and exersize are just added bonuses. Even when the weather is cold a good walk is great (unless it gets dangerously cold).

When weather doesn't permit I would alternate the 2 vehicles every few days so one doesn't take the brunt of all the short trips.

pastmaster · May 24, 2005

Thorn,
I think that your situation is a prime candidate for Dr. AE HAAS', light oil weight 0-20, philosophy. It would be what I would do with a 30-45 day OCI. Driving to work and the 100 mile round trip, is a prudent and reasonable action, that will burn off the crankcase dilution of fuel and water and acid contamination.

The Honda is expendable, not your family.

jason07-1zzfe · May 24, 2005

Buy her an umbrella and jacket?

XS650 · May 24, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Thorn:
I drive the '97 Subaru Legacy (2.2L) with 173K to work everday, which is 50 miles one way (all highway). Would it be a good idea for me to drive the Honda, say once a week, to make sure it gets up to temp at least once a week?

That sounds like a good plan.

It wouldn't help the exhaust system, but would help the engine internals, which are the big $$$ item.

It would also be a good opportunity for you to observe how the Honda's running. Sometimes wives don't notice that anything is wrong with a car until it quits.

I'm not a big fan of preventitive chemical medication for engines, but you sound like a good candidate for using the ARx maint dose or LC.

It will also need frequent oil changes as others have said. 3,000 miles or so sounds about right with decent quality dino oil, not top price oil and not el cheapo. Get a UOA the first 2 or 3 3k mile changes so you aren't guessing at what's the correct change interval. I think 3k changes will give you good UOAs.

Except for exhaust system, you should get a good long life out of it if you drive it on your 100 mile round trip once a week and change oil frequently.

C4Dave · May 24, 2005

Sounds like an ideal environment for an electric vehicle.

theguru · May 24, 2005

Move to a better neighbourhood.

Tones · May 24, 2005

My advice: Do not use a XW-20 oil! Use a minimum 30 weight oil, probably dino, and change it every few months. I like your thinking about driving it once in a while to work -- I drive my wife's car to work occassionally for the same reason.

I like the Schaeffers oils in fuel dilution situations. If you do a search of UOAs, you will find it holds up very well.

I find its not worth arguing with the wife about it. As much as we like to maintain our vehicles as best we can, they are just machines. Even with the best of care they will only last so long and will have to be replaced. You will most likely still get a number of years of life out of the vehicle with this regimen. If your wife is like mine, she will get tired of it a lot sooner than that anyway.

[ May 24, 2005, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Tones ]

benjamming · May 24, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by michaelc80:
Just a thought....

It can't be raining/snowing everyday they are in school. The walk with mom might do them some good when the weather permits. Fresh air and exersize are just added bonuses. Even when the weather is cold a good walk is great (unless it gets dangerously cold).
When weather doesn't permit I would alternate the 2 vehicles every few days so one doesn't take the brunt of all the short trips.

I agree with this idea a lot. Excercise is wonderful and gets the blood flowing. A good thing to teach your children!

XS650 · May 24, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by benjamming:

Originally posted by michaelc80:
[qb] I agree with this idea a lot. Excercise is wonderful and gets the blood flowing. A good thing to teach your children!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

It's also a good opportunity to reinforce the childrens behavior crossing streets, learning their way around the neighborhood and being aware of their surroundings.

Best advice for VERY short trips

Similar threads