Short distance driving
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Freshman User
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Short distance driving
I've got an '11 f250 CC, SB, FX4 and I love it. Its my first diesel so I'm still adapting/learning. A question about driving habits: I drive a very short distance to work (less than 2 miles). Most days I drop my kids off in the morning, making it more like 6 miles. On days that I don't, I have been taking the long way to work to allow things to warm up a bit. Is this necessary or am I reading old wives tales? Should I be concerned about long term issues with driving this short distance? I do get out once a week or so for a 10+ mile run on the highway. Appreciate the feedback!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
IMO, it's not the best way to use your diesel motor but on the other hand, it should be capable of all kinds of service.
Possible Problems:
Emissions system not getting to operating temperature leading to its eventual failure.
Engine oil not getting to operating temperature, effects turbo too.
Coolant thermostats having limited cycles, prolonged periods of no movement, could stick.
EGR cooler/valve not reaching operating temperature leading to deposits and valve sticking.
The are general things that I have picked up from what other folks tend to say and I do kinda think there is reason for concern. Try to get your engine to run for an hour or so once a week, ideally with a decent load.
Possible Problems:
Emissions system not getting to operating temperature leading to its eventual failure.
Engine oil not getting to operating temperature, effects turbo too.
Coolant thermostats having limited cycles, prolonged periods of no movement, could stick.
EGR cooler/valve not reaching operating temperature leading to deposits and valve sticking.
The are general things that I have picked up from what other folks tend to say and I do kinda think there is reason for concern. Try to get your engine to run for an hour or so once a week, ideally with a decent load.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,227
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From: Higginsville, MO
keep it in a heated garage and plug the block heater in anyway.... unplug it back it out and let it run 15 min before leaving for work then take the long way lol
everything youve heard is pretty much true and its the same for gas or diesels if they dont reach and maintain operating temperature for some time things will start to go out. its just worse with diesels because so much relies on the engine getting to operating temp...
everything youve heard is pretty much true and its the same for gas or diesels if they dont reach and maintain operating temperature for some time things will start to go out. its just worse with diesels because so much relies on the engine getting to operating temp...
Posting Guru
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Gotta drive them...
fldave is right that you need to allow the vehicle to reach operating temperatures to boil off any moisture. The big question in automobiles is how long.
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Ok. So that's the million dollar question. How long? I am willing to leave a few minutes early and drive around. Any opinions out there? (Boy, that's a loaded question!)
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Posting Guru
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It sounds like you now have an excuse to goof off and drive around a bit. Seriously, in airplanes we shoot for 30 minutes at operating temperatures (primary being oil temp). It will be hard to say how long.
In an airplane, you start, you get the temps off of the pegs during warm up, you take off at full throttle, and then set the throttle at altitude at some fixed power (sort of like setting the cruise control). Temps stabilize after you adjust the mixture for altitude, so you are basically are running at fixed power. How to translate that into automobiles with the differences in engine design and operating modes (start/stop) will be hard. But I would think, 15 to 20 minutes after reaching normal operating temps should be good.
In an airplane, you start, you get the temps off of the pegs during warm up, you take off at full throttle, and then set the throttle at altitude at some fixed power (sort of like setting the cruise control). Temps stabilize after you adjust the mixture for altitude, so you are basically are running at fixed power. How to translate that into automobiles with the differences in engine design and operating modes (start/stop) will be hard. But I would think, 15 to 20 minutes after reaching normal operating temps should be good.
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Freshman User
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Next question, what's a decent load? Does that mean hauling a trailer, or just some heavier driving (highway, etc)?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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The most my truck has seen is 6,500.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Greenwood, SC
My truck generally runs a lot of miles towing 6-8K worth of weight as a trailer. If you have a trailer it does not really have to be heavy. At 60mph and up we are really using most of our HP to fight aerodynamics, especially with a trailer.
Senior User
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Ive been told to get the turbo as hot as possible to get the moisture out of the turbo because they tend to rust and it keeps the variable vanes from opening and closing.
Wide open throttle pretty good when you do get it out.
Wide open throttle pretty good when you do get it out.
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