New job - much less Porsche driving - how do I treat the car best?

Guys
I will start at a new job the first of february. This new job means only 6 km (3,7 miles) to work. Driving the 911 for such a short distance twice every day would be torture on the engine I think (tell me if I'm being over protective). Fortunately I will get a company car to do the hard work.

So now my Porsche will become a weekend/pleasure car only. It will often stand for 3 weeks without being started. This calls for more attention to details like oil, tire preassure etc.

I try to take it for a drive of at least 30 km (18,7 miles) at least every 3 weeks in order to fully warm up the engine oil and exercise the brakes a bit (car is already standing unused due to winter temps). Also I keep the tire preassures a bit over what's recommended in the manual.

What else can I do to be nice to the car? I'm thinking about changing the oil evey 6 months instead of every 12 months. Do you think that will be a good idea, or will the occasional long trips be enough to fight condense water in the oil? Yearly milage will be only 5000 km (3107 miles) or maybe even less depending on how things work out. (I do hope though, to use the 911 as a daily driver during the summer months, in spite of the company car).

I used to drive my 911 every day except during the winter months so this is new to me. In fact people ask me why I don't sell the Porsche now that I don't get to drive it that often any more. I must admit that it does seem a bit odd to have this large amount of money stuck in a car that I only use on rare occasions. Also this new job means a lot less time for the internet

How can a Porsche addict as I am survive with much less Porsche driving AND less pelicanparts Porsche board time Any advice welcome.

i have the same problem as you.

i moved to a new place that is only 4 miles from work, versus 25 miles. i don't want to strain my engine or not let my cars properly warm up.

here's what i am going to do:

take a short trip to work in the morning. in the afternoon take a "detour" long way home in the afternoon. this "detour" is a way of taking the roads less travelled, and finding fun, often-forgotten roads home.

i hope this helps.

obin

Same here -- only 3.5 miles to work.

I alternate p-cars about every other day. Generally drive the 914 about 4-5 days a week and the 911 the other days.

If time permits I try to stretch the drive to at least 15-20 minutes by heading down to the coast/beach and then back inland. That is enough to get the car warmed up.

Chris C.

couldn't you just let the car warm up for a longer time in your driveway before starting off in order to allow it to reach operating temp?

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Adam Nitti
ajnitti@mindspring.com
www.adamnitti.com
'85 911 Carrera Coupe

I live about 2.5 miles from work. I only drive the Porsche on nice days, and I make it a point to "run errands" on my way home. I usually end up coming home with nothing accomplished, but I do have a great big smile on my face!
Certainly worth the time.

I think a P-car can run forever in your driveway and never reach opperating temps. i have the same problem but only drive 2 miles to work. I just let the engine get nice and oiled up before putting any strain on the motor and take it real easy. I also try to take a longer way home, but with stop and go traffic I doubt it does any good.
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Paul
78SC Targa

Wow, I never thought I would hear people complain about how short their commute is. But when you drive a Porsche to work I can understand the dilemna. I on the other hand drive 50 miles each way but in commute traffic (no fun). Needless to say I try and work on regular holidays when traffic is light and tear up the roads on the way to work. I always have a smile on my face when I walk in to work on days like that.

Late at night or very early on weekends will usually present traffic free roads for cruising. It takes time out of your day , but then what hobby doesn't?
On the plus side it is a great stress reliever to blast around with little or no traffic in sight!

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Bob
1982 911SC Targa
PCA - Founders Region

Any takers? I'll volunteer to "walk" your under-used Porsches for you. I'm in Southern California and drive 18 miles each way down Pacific Coast Highway. I have the garage space and decent driving skills.

Cheers,
John

I've got a 83' 911 turbo that only gets driven once or twice a month these days. Sometimes I just back it up so the rear is out of the garage and let it idle for 30 minutes. And this does get the temp up to about 1/3, which is higher than if I drive it in 20 degree weather.

I change the oil every six months mainly because I can't drive it, and the oil did look bad last week when I drained it.

I will say that the car doesn't drive as good after sitting so long, but no way am I selling it. I remember what it was like before I got this car and can't go without.

Chuck