Short Distance Driving
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Short Distance Driving
I have only had my truck for about 2 weeks now and it is the first diesel I have ever owned. I have 2 questions and they are is it bad for a diesel to sit for 4 or 5 days without being ran? And my second question is, is it bad to use the truck for short distance travel. For example is it bad for me to drive my truck from school to wal-mart and back which is roughly a 10 mile round trip and then park it for 4 or 5 days.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thanks,
Ryan
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by RyanF
I have only had my truck for about 2 weeks now and it is the first diesel I have ever owned. I have 2 questions and they are is it bad for a diesel to sit for 4 or 5 days without being ran? And my second question is, is it bad to use the truck for short distance travel. For example is it bad for me to drive my truck from school to wal-mart and back which is roughly a 10 mile round trip and then park it for 4 or 5 days.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thanks,
Ryan
First of all, run fuel additive such as Stanadyne, Power Service, or something else all the time. This will prevent the fuel from gelling in the winter, prevents algea from growing in older fuel, and helps to lengthen the life of the injectors and quiet the motor down a tad.
The most crucial thing is to let the truck warm up at idle before you pull out of the driveway. AT LEAST let it get up to the first notch on the temp gauge, and do not rev past about 2500 rpm's until the temperature is fully up. Running a diesel motor under load directly following a cold start is one of the worst things you can do.
You should also consider a pre-lubing device to prevent dry startups when cold. This will have an significant impact on engine life since the truck will be started more (in proportion) for the same amout of miles as the average truck.
PS- You said school? How old are you?
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From: stoneboro, pa
Originally Posted by RyanF
I am 19 and a sophomore at a small college near Harrisonburg, VA.
u really should have one. also if u let it get to oper temp before driving, u dont need to worry about the short trip condensation....
P.S. have a blast at school while u can...
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Originally Posted by bighoss550
a pre-oiler setup is definately in ur best interest u really should have one.
also if u let it get to oper temp before driving, u dont need to worry about the short trip condensation....
P.S. have a blast at school while u can...
u really should have one. also if u let it get to oper temp before driving, u dont need to worry about the short trip condensation....
P.S. have a blast at school while u can...
Thanks for the help,
Ryan
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From: stoneboro, pa
Originally Posted by RyanF
Is the pre-oiler setup an aftermarket add on or do you purchase it from Ford? And about the oper temp, what does it have to be at before I can take off?
Thanks for the help,
Ryan
Thanks for the help,
Ryan
it doesnt have to be at operating temp, but u would be doing ur engine alot of good not to stir up the water condensation inside the block when its cold. once it warms the condensation is gone out the pcv. when u shut an engine down, it cools and the air in and around it does also, gettin denser. this draws in air, and the water in it is pulled in with it.
thats the short version. the long version includes many other reasons u shouldnt drive an engine cold
and i cant type that much....
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Originally Posted by bighoss550
its aftermarket. look at the "pre-oiler" thread for a link.
it doesnt have to be at operating temp, but u would be doing ur engine alot of good not to stir up the water condensation inside the block when its cold. once it warms the condensation is gone out the pcv. when u shut an engine down, it cools and the air in and around it does also, gettin denser. this draws in air, and the water in it is pulled in with it.
thats the short version. the long version includes many other reasons u shouldnt drive an engine cold and i cant type that much....
it doesnt have to be at operating temp, but u would be doing ur engine alot of good not to stir up the water condensation inside the block when its cold. once it warms the condensation is gone out the pcv. when u shut an engine down, it cools and the air in and around it does also, gettin denser. this draws in air, and the water in it is pulled in with it.
thats the short version. the long version includes many other reasons u shouldnt drive an engine cold
and i cant type that much....FTE Stories
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From: stoneboro, pa
Originally Posted by RyanF
So basically providing I let my engine warm up for several minutes (like 5 mins or so) I will be fine for short distance driving? Also do you recommend me starting my truck every couple of days and just letting it run for 15 mins or so?
leaving it sit wont hurt anything unless ur talkin about 4months
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From: Carlsbad, California
I drive 4 miles each way to work. The truck never gets warmed up.
So I try to take it on a longer trip where it gets good and warmed up every now and then, and do some good hard runs. Pulling the trailer ever month or so helps keep everything cleared out too.
So I try to take it on a longer trip where it gets good and warmed up every now and then, and do some good hard runs. Pulling the trailer ever month or so helps keep everything cleared out too.
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Originally Posted by darylhunter
I drive 4 miles each way to work. The truck never gets warmed up.
So I try to take it on a longer trip where it gets good and warmed up every now and then, and do some good hard runs. Pulling the trailer ever month or so helps keep everything cleared out too.
So I try to take it on a longer trip where it gets good and warmed up every now and then, and do some good hard runs. Pulling the trailer ever month or so helps keep everything cleared out too.
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From: 3rd Rock
I only use mine for pulling and have left it as long as 35 days...I use Stanadyne every time I fill up, I never park it without a full tank. I have never had any issues related to long-term storage. I do live in a state that only averages 18/22% humidity also. My truck is garaged.
I also own a Super Coup T-Bird, 1991 that only has 29K original miles on it….I special ordered it…so I am probably the King of knowing how to take care of a stored vehicle. It has never been driven in the rain or snow or….
The longest it has not been driven was 10 months, up on blocks, started everymonth...
I also own a Super Coup T-Bird, 1991 that only has 29K original miles on it….I special ordered it…so I am probably the King of knowing how to take care of a stored vehicle. It has never been driven in the rain or snow or….
The longest it has not been driven was 10 months, up on blocks, started everymonth...
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