Is my commute hurting my car?

[MattB]

I have a very short commute to work (around a mile or two). It's not stop and go, and my I30's engine is generally warmed up by the time I get to the office. I know it's probably quite bad for fuel economy (I think I get around 20mpg doing this, maybe a little less even), but is it putting undue wear and tear on my car, and if so what extra maintenance should I be doing to compensate? All the fluids are flushed on schedule and the oil is changed every 4,000 miles with Mobil1 full synthetic.

[qship96]

I would be sure to drive it longer distances once per week to allow oil to reach and maintain operating temps long enough to boil off condensation in crankcase, a good 30-45 minute highway drive will ensure that.

[Q451990]

and the oil is changed every 4,000 miles with Mobil1 full synthetic.

How often are you changing it? Hopefully at least every 6 months... I suspct you don't hit 4K very often with such a short commute?

Heath

[maxnix]

You are what is known as a severe duty cycle. Read the OEM recommendations and exceed then in frequency. Don't ignorre ATF nor power steering fluid.

Ever consider walking. 20 minutes each way and great health benefits.

[StarPD]

I would be sure to drive it longer distances once per week to allow oil to reach and maintain operating temps long enough to boil off condensation in crankcase, a good 30-45 minute highway drive will ensure that.

Qship96 is correct. Engine oil and trans fluid need to get up to full OPERATING temp (not just coolant temp as registered on dash temp gauge). You should do this at least once a week, as he said. 30 to 45 minutes is adequate. Also, as Maxnix notes, you are driving what is known as a "Severe Duty Cycle". That requires more frequent oil changes, based on time rather than mileage.

Remember, oil/fluids are cheap, parts (and labor) are expensive.

[MattB]

Qship96 is correct. Engine oil and trans fluid need to get up to full OPERATING temp (not just coolant temp as registered on dash temp gauge). You should do this at least once a week, as he said. 30 to 45 minutes is adequate. Also, as Maxnix notes, you are driving what is known as a "Severe Duty Cycle". That requires more frequent oil changes, based on time rather than mileage.

Remember, oil/fluids are cheap, parts (and labor) are expensive.

Very true. I change my oil every 6 months regardless of mileage, and it runs full synthetic oil. The transmission fluid also gets flushed every 30K.

[szh]

Matt,

In your shoes (pun intended), I would take the opportunity to walk or ride a bicycle to work regardless. Even in winter, I would walk that distance, although not ride a bike if there was snow on the ground.

The health benefits would be Most Excellent.

Z

And, yes, still change the oil every 6 months.

[MattB]

Matt,

In your shoes (pun intended), I would take the opportunity to walk or ride a bicycle to work regardless. Even in winter, I would walk that distance, although not ride a bike if there was snow on the ground.

The health benefits would be Most Excellent.

Z

And, yes, still change the oil every 6 months.

I walk everywhere that's within reasonable distance except to and from work. It's been 90+ degrees every morning here the last week, and so walking a mile in that heat wearing a suit would result in me looking less than professional when I got to work.