15-20 minute commute - will I ruin my engine?

[monkeyodeath]

I have an easy commute to work that takes 15-20 minutes. Never any traffic, just freeway and some hill driving.

I'd like to DD or at least drive my 3.2 to work a few days a week, but is a trip that short going to just ruin the engine?

[timmy2]

Does it get to full operating temperature? Shouldn't hurt it too much if it does, just so long as you take it for a weekend run too!
Any condensation on the oil filler cap after a week of DD duty? That will tell you if it's burning off the crap from starting and warming up.
I have about the same commute with hills and some highway. Doesn't seem to bother my car. I've been known to take a detour or 2 on the way home though.

[RDM]

These are hardy cars. A 15-20 minute commute, especially on the highway, should give things time to warm up. And if you don't think that's long enough, there's always the long way home...

[CorsePerVita]

Should be fine. My 3.0 is my daily drive, has been for about 3 years now. Driven every day and a very similar commute, about 35 miles per day. No issues, runs strong, runs great. Keep on top of your oil levels, valve adjustments, etc and you should be fine. I do make sure on my off days to take it for a drive to warm it up a bit more so that you can get all the filler cap condensation taken care of. But it's normal especially in the winter time.

Almost 190k on my engine and it still is running strong as can be.

[Jim Richards]

No, you won't ruin your engine. Enjoy driving your 911.

[wrinkledpants]

Yes - it will ruin your motor. Water doesn't have enough time to burn out of the oil, and small ninjas grow in the oil tank as a result. They deliver a swift ass-kicking in the form of judo chops to the wrist pins and roundhouse kicks to the main bearings. Have you ever taken a karate chop to the jugular? Yeah - not fun. Best thing to do is to ride a unicorn to work. Chicks dig horses with horns, they're great on gas (MPG gauge actually shows infinity since they only create it and not use it), and the bright colors will raise your spirits on a gloomy day.

The other option is to use an oil additive that has music. The Justin Bieber additive will kill those ninjas dead in a snap (literally, small Biebers just snap and throw their hips out to kill them). The other option is Mumford and Sons - no clue why. Just make sure you put a sticker on the engine block that says "this car has been Bieber'd or Mumford'ed," so the mechanics know to put in their bio-suits. You don't even *want* to know what happens when you get Bieber on you...... *shudders*.....

[tharbert]

Originally Posted by wrinkledpants

Yes - it will ruin your motor. Water doesn't have enough time to burn out of the oil, and small ninjas grow in the oil tank as a result. They deliver a swift ass-kicking in the form of judo chops to the wrist pins and roundhouse kicks to the main bearings. Have you ever taken a karate chop to the jugular? Yeah - not fun. Best thing to do is to ride a unicorn to work. Chicks dig horses with horns, they're great on gas (MPG gauge actually shows infinity since they only create it and not use it), and the bright colors will raise your spirits on a gloomy day.

The other option is to use an oil additive that has music. The Justin Bieber additive will kill those ninjas dead in a snap (literally, small Biebers just snap and throw their hips out to kill them). The other option is Mumford and Sons - no clue why. Just make sure you put a sticker on the engine block that says "this car has been Bieber'd or Mumford'ed," so the mechanics know to put in their bio-suits. You don't even *want* to know what happens when you get Bieber on you...... *shudders*.....

There, fixed it for ya.

[Porchcar guy]

It will ruin your engine so you need to sell your car to me for a $1 and I promise to treat as it wants/needs to be treated :=)

[LJ851]

Watch for condensation build up in the oil. It does take a while especially in cold weather to evaporate all moisture that forms. A longer drive every couple weeks or so wouldn't hurt and is a good excuse to go for a drive if you need one.

[dshepp806]

Try to make it a 30 minute commute !!!!! At least on the way home!

Biggest thing is to keep those revs down until she's at temp.....

BEST!

Doyle

[cali4sun]

Originally Posted by wrinkledpants

yes - it will ruin your motor. Water doesn't have enough time to burn out of the oil, and small ninjas grow in the oil tank as a result. They deliver a swift ass-kicking in the form of judo chops to the wrist pins and roundhouse kicks to the main bearings. Have you ever taken a karate chop to the jugular? Yeah - not fun. Best thing to do is to ride a unicorn to work. Chicks dig horses with horns, they're great on gas (mpg gauge actually shows infinity since they only create it and not use it), and the bright colors will raise your spirits on a gloomy day.

The other option is to use an oil additive that has music. The justin bieber additive will kill those ninjas dead in a snap (literally, small biebers just snap and throw their hips out to kill them). The other option is mumford and sons - no clue why. Just make sure you put a sticker on the engine block that says "this car has been bieber'd or mumford'ed," so the mechanics know to put in their bio-suits. You don't even *want* to know what happens when you get bieber on you...... *shudders*.....

Nailed It!

[monkeyodeath]

Alright, I'll just enjoy it then. Temp gets almost to first mark. I keep the revs below 4k for the first 5 minutes or so....

[dshepp806]

Just to be clear here (joking aside), should that commute be a mere 15 minutes, I'd look to increase that run time a bit to hit that 180 degree mark (minimum) on average....easier to hit it in the dead summer (at least, around these neck of the woods) but a bit of a challenge during the cold winter [[THAT'S when I simply go PAST my normal interstate exit,..go down a couple of exits (~ 6 miles),..turn around and head back (~6 miles)...just a quirky thing I do in the winter time.....sure beats storing it for months]].

BEST!

Doyle

[flat6pilot]

Originally Posted by wrinkledpants

Yes - it will ruin your motor. Water doesn't have enough time to burn out of the oil, and small ninjas grow in the oil tank as a result. They deliver a swift ass-kicking in the form of judo chops to the wrist pins and roundhouse kicks to the main bearings. Have you ever taken a karate chop to the jugular? Yeah - not fun. Best thing to do is to ride a unicorn to work. Chicks dig horses with horns, they're great on gas (MPG gauge actually shows infinity since they only create it and not use it), and the bright colors will raise your spirits on a gloomy day.

The other option is to use an oil additive that has music. The Justin Bieber additive will kill those ninjas dead in a snap (literally, small Biebers just snap and throw their hips out to kill them). The other option is Mumford and Sons - no clue why. Just make sure you put a sticker on the engine block that says "this car has been Bieber'd or Mumford'ed," so the mechanics know to put in their bio-suits. You don't even *want* to know what happens when you get Bieber on you...... *shudders*.....

+1 for the Bieber hip snap additive.

[porsche930dude]

dont worry about it. they say to get it to temp to burn off the condensation. but that condensation would build up even more if it was sitting at home not being run. so what difference does it make

[monkeyodeath]

oh, I'll definitely still flog it on the weekends and I like to go on pleasure drives during my lunch break. so the short trips won't be the entirety of the driving...

[Nico911]

I'd never thought short rides could hurt the engine. But if it does, the cure is pretty easy to take : a longer ride, with a smile on your face !

[Dave Colangelo]

Its a Porsche, Drive IT.

I have owned a series of Porsche's over the years. Driven them my 3 minute commute to high school (still to this day am convinced my POS 924S was the coolest car in the parking lot) all the way to 7 hour Porsche runs with fellow pelicans. I do agree that it is important to get a car up to temp but I feel that, that applies more to driving it hard. If I am going to take my car out and drive it like a Porsche I will warm it up first. If I am going to the grocery store to get butter, I get in and go. IMO it is more important and far better for the car to drive it than to let it sit in any capacity.

Regards
Dave

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by monkeyodeath

Alright, I'll just enjoy it then. Temp gets almost to first mark. I keep the revs below 4k for the first 5 minutes or so....

I keep mine 2800 and below until the car gets a bit warm. Thick, cold oil + high revs is bad.

[wrinkledpants]

Originally Posted by Dave Colangelo

Its a Porsche, Drive IT.

I have owned a series of Porsche's over the years. Driven them my 3 minute commute to high school (still to this day am convinced my POS 924S was the coolest car in the parking lot) all the way to 7 hour Porsche runs with fellow pelicans. I do agree that it is important to get a car up to temp but I feel that, that applies more to driving it hard. If I am going to take my car out and drive it like a Porsche I will warm it up first. If I am going to the grocery store to get butter, I get in and go. IMO it is more important and far better for the car to drive it than to let it sit in any capacity.

Regards
Dave

It's the weeks on end of driving the car without allowing sufficient time for the water and fuel to burn out of it. Lets say your high temps are always below freezing, and your daily commute is 12 minutes - you'll start to see a milky substance buildup on your dipstick or oil cap. Doing this all winter, years on end, will certainly shorten the life of your car. 20 minutes should be plenty of time for the oil to warm up and burn off the water and fuel. Drive it WOT throttle whenever you safely can (on-ramps and such) as this helps keep things on an even keel with your motor. Some cars suck at being driven hard (honda, toyota), but motors designed to run hard *need* to be run hard occasionally.

You'll hear a lot of people here say that their cars run better after track sessions, mountain drives, or anytime they drive it hard for an extended period of time. Driving it like a Lexus is no bueno.