AndyK

If I am using my car to drive to the station in the morning (until I get to use my father's Honda), will I do harm to it if I start it up, drive for 5 minutes, and then park it??

Will driving on the highway once a week at speed cure any problems I may be causing by making short trips??

Damian in NJ

Well, for starters you won't be getting the oil hot enough to drive out any condensation-so change the oil every 3000 miles for sure. I'd also make sure that you've Vinylexed the heck out of the dash, don't want any cracks to start up. And once the weather gets cold I'd skip 2nd gear, our cars have enough torque to do this. Cold oil, bad for synchros.

Epic2112

I think there's also an issue with rust. Driving the car for a short time like that will get it warm enough so that condensation will form on the warmer spots. If you drove it longer it would get nice and hot, so that condensation would just get dried off, but with only short runs the condensation will sit there (I'm thinking primarily in your exhaust) and rust will form.

I'm sure if you only do this a few times it'll be ok, but hurry up and get that honda.

AndyK

Is condensation a problem in the hot summer months too?? At some point during the year, I'll have to use the 944 as a daily station car!

Tom...you did this, right? Ever notice any exhaust rust or problems due to short drives??

Perry 951

I'd make sure I drove it for at least 30 minutes once a week. Get it good and hot to take care of the condensation in the crankcase.

Short of that, since most parts are aluminum, stainless, or galvanized on our cars, rust and corrosion should not be a huge problem.

Peckster

Condensation forms on cold parts, not hot parts.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Alan C.

With just 5 minutes I'd think you would have a condensation issue in the cold end of the exhaust.
Alan C.

pete944

Jeez, don't drive it to Tom R.'s station. I can't handle another stolen S2 thread.

Tom R.

i drove it to the station for three years. no rust problem at all. i kept the revs between 2 and 2500 for the first about 1/4 mile, then second for about another 1/2 mile keeping it below 3000, and basically kept it between 2 and 3500 for the trip.

i also shifted through all the gears before starting off. i wouldnt worry at all. my milkshake problem had nothing to do with the short drives.

you are going to change the oil regularly anyway. dont worry.

adrial

Rather than skipping 2nd gear, I would recommend double clutching...but thats personal preference. I dont like bogging the engine too much....

Z-man

Yes: double de-clutching will eliminate the mash/notchiness of 2nd in the cold somewhat. I also recommend switching to synthetic tranny oil (like Swepco), when the budget allows.

Truthfully: I don't think a 5 minute drive is enough to get the car to optimum operating temperatures. Perhaps on the way home, you should plan an alternate route that's a little longer.

-Z-man.

Eyal 951

I think you should just take the Loooong way there and back, Z-man kinda beat me too saying it. just take 2 or 3 days of the week and go for a drive, i doubt you would disagree with driving her more.
~Eyal

AndyK

Hmm...an extra trip on the way home, eh?
How long would I need to get the car warm enough to evaporate any condensation built up from the morning??

Z-man

25-30 minutes is a good time frame. Just watch your temp guage: when it reaches the point it usually sits, then you're warmed up!

-Z.

AndyK

Hmmm. My temp guage reaches the first mark and stays there in about 8 minutes. Shorter if I am stopped at a light or in traffic.

I can't get off the train at 6:25, then show up for dinner at 7:00. My wife will kill me. Plus, I'd never get to say goodnight to my daughter!

Screw it, if the exhaust system falls off because I'm not driving the car enough, so be it! An excuse to switch to stainless!