How does driving your car a short distance to work damage the car?

Starting a car, driving a car, storing a car, not driving a car — all cause damage. The question becomes how much more damage is caused by a usage pattern. If the car is still cold when you get to work and you never drive it longer, then that’s about the worst thing you could do.

What happens if I only drive short distances?

EDIT2: Was reminded, you should follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on oil changes which states for mileage AND for time. If you only drive short distances, the battery will be drained for power, because it don’t get enought time to recover and recharge.

Can a short trip damage a car engine?

Your location also plays a part in this, as well as what type of roads are used (ie, surface streets only, highways, etc). Short trips themselves will not damage the engine. The possible damage arises from the engine never reaching operating temperatures or not at operating temperature long enough.

What happens if you drive your car for a long time?

The possible damage arises from the engine never reaching operating temperatures or not at operating temperature long enough. Repeated “short trips” in a cold environment can result in excessive condensation in the crankcase. While oil and water don’t mix naturally, they do combine when put under pressure.

How does driving short distances affect car servicing?

Every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first: As an 88-year-old pensioner on a restricted licence I drive very little. My concern is the service interval required as per book against the actual distance I have driven. The second service was due at 15,000km and the actual distance driven was 868km.

Is the short drive trip bad for your engine?

The choice, then, is to pick an oil that will perform poorly at start up. As a result, starting an engine cold is pretty much the worst normal operating procedure you can inflict on it. Short drives mean more cold starts as a percentage of miles travelled, so there will be relatively more wear on the engine.

How does only traveling short distances hurt my car?

If you only drive short distances, the battery will be drained for power, because it don’t get enought time to recover and recharge. Especially in winter and it’s cold outside, you turn on all heaters in the car, driver seat, heater in windows.

Is it bad to start your car on a short drive?

As a result, starting an engine cold is pretty much the worst normal operating procedure you can inflict on it. Short drives mean more cold starts as a percentage of miles travelled, so there will be relatively more wear on the engine.