993, Bad as a Grocery-Getter?
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey guys,
Was wondering what your thoughts on whether using the 993 for an occasional "grocery run" is harmful to the engine. Ok...that sounded really silly. I'm just wondering if frequently driving the car to the local store will eventually cause damage to the engine (accelerated carbon build-up?) or anything else, seeing that the engine hasn't fully warmed up. I guess that can be remedied by taking the "scenic" route, but unfortunately living in NYC, taking a longer route may mean more harm than good with all the stop and go. Of course the Porsche will have it's weekend high rpm fun runs, not saying that it will be a dedicated grocery-getter.
So...should the Porsche be left at home when getting that carton of milk or that new Blockbuster rental?
Was wondering what your thoughts on whether using the 993 for an occasional "grocery run" is harmful to the engine. Ok...that sounded really silly. I'm just wondering if frequently driving the car to the local store will eventually cause damage to the engine (accelerated carbon build-up?) or anything else, seeing that the engine hasn't fully warmed up. I guess that can be remedied by taking the "scenic" route, but unfortunately living in NYC, taking a longer route may mean more harm than good with all the stop and go. Of course the Porsche will have it's weekend high rpm fun runs, not saying that it will be a dedicated grocery-getter.
So...should the Porsche be left at home when getting that carton of milk or that new Blockbuster rental?
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
Last edited by Arrwin; 08-04-2004 at 07:06 PM.
#2
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The cars are meant to be driven, I say drive them as often as you can. If you live in New York, I assume you store it for the winter therefore you want to be driving that car as much as possible from April through November since these cars are just so much fun to drive.
Editorial license aside, I can't see the harm in it assuming you drive it on the weekends the way you describe.
just my .02 cents
Editorial license aside, I can't see the harm in it assuming you drive it on the weekends the way you describe.
just my .02 cents
#3
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I agree with sleddog. Drive that baby!
I've only put 6k miles on my 993, but I put 20k on my previous 911 (an 85). Nearly twenty years old with 130k mi and I used it for track days, road trips, grocery gets, autocross, commutes, fun runs.... you name it. No problems in 5 years of ownership except for an alternator.
Drive it!
I've only put 6k miles on my 993, but I put 20k on my previous 911 (an 85). Nearly twenty years old with 130k mi and I used it for track days, road trips, grocery gets, autocross, commutes, fun runs.... you name it. No problems in 5 years of ownership except for an alternator.
Drive it!
#4
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Indeed, drive it, run errands with it, enjoy it! Sure, continuously making short trips, not letting the car really warm up, and babying the tach could lead to problems down the road, but that weekend romp into the stratosphere will solve those ills
My feeling is that the more seat time one gives oneself, the more one appreciates and values the car. Works for me, anyway ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edward
![Wink](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edward
#5
Miserable Old Bastard
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have always used my p-cars for local errands - I love to drive them any chance I can! I do always take it easy until the car is warmed up. Just be careful loading groceries. To this day I can still feel the pain when a gallon glass bottle of juice knocked the side of my RS America and left a nice little dent - it was devastating at the time.
#6
Nordschleife Master
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I will take a contrary position here. I rarely cold start my Porsche for trips less than a mile or two. I believe (no solid facts) that cold starts doesn't give the oil a chnace to properly lubricate and the extra rich starting mixture can wash down the cylinder walls with fuel. The gearbox is stiff until the fluid warms up. I drive the first mile or two like my long gone grandmother, accelerating ever so slowly, shifting very slowly and way early... just avoiding lugging the engine. When it finally warms up, it always gets .8 bar and a full dose of rpms at least once. I'll use one of the other cars for the really short trips.
#7
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small horse farm in VA
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
In the 70's and 80' and until I made the mistake of getting married, Porsches were my daily drivers.....from 914-modified to SCs to a 930t......
Had fewer issues with daily drivers that I had later with "Garage Queens".....
Please enjoy your Porsche!
ciao
Had fewer issues with daily drivers that I had later with "Garage Queens".....
Please enjoy your Porsche!
ciao
Trending Topics
#8
Instructor
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Orange County
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I chuckle when I hear you guys talking about how you baby your engine, and yet don't think twice about it when you drive your beater to no harm. If a Porsche engine can't handle trips to the grocery store, then it's good for nothing. So, drive it to the store. Just beware of shopping carts and door dings.
#9
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I use mine everyday as it is my daily driver, but I do live a little ways from the commercial areas. The gym that I frequent is the closest to me and that is six miles away..... Four of those six miles are on famous scenic Hwy 7!
Drive your 993 and ENJOY it!!!!
JoAnne
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
Drive your 993 and ENJOY it!!!!
JoAnne
#10
GT3 player par excellence
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
if the trip is less than 5 miles, i don't drive my porsche.
for trips longer than 20 miles, i always drive my porsche, even if things don't fit ;o)
if trip is b/n 5-20 miles, i get LOST, and make them longer than 20 miles ....
for trips longer than 20 miles, i always drive my porsche, even if things don't fit ;o)
if trip is b/n 5-20 miles, i get LOST, and make them longer than 20 miles ....
#11
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by mooty
if the trip is less than 5 miles, i don't drive my porsche.
for trips longer than 20 miles, i always drive my porsche, even if things don't fit ;o)
if trip is b/n 5-20 miles, i get LOST, and make them longer than 20 miles ....
for trips longer than 20 miles, i always drive my porsche, even if things don't fit ;o)
if trip is b/n 5-20 miles, i get LOST, and make them longer than 20 miles ....
![Stick Out Tongue](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#13
Rennlist Member
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The freeway on ramp is 1.5 miles, my favorite grocery store is about 7 miles, and I combine a lot of errands. All in the 993. I don't commute any more like I did before I bought this 993, as I believe stop and go in hot weather is worse than short trips. Tomorrow morning I am off on the 4K mile trip to BC, Alberta and other beautiful NW states. Longest Italian tuneup I ever did. I finally bought a spare DME relay, just in case.
#14
Advanced
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Toronto Ontario.
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Berkley
In the 70's and 80' and until I made the mistake of getting married, Porsches were my daily drivers.....from 914-modified to SCs to a 930t......
Had fewer issues with daily drivers that I had later with "Garage Queens".....
Please enjoy your Porsche!
ciao
Had fewer issues with daily drivers that I had later with "Garage Queens".....
Please enjoy your Porsche!
ciao
Although I dont own a P car (YET
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Now on a plus side the past couple of winters I have been seeing more and more P-Cars in the winter, PROPS to you guys! Now guys with FWD compact cars as garage queens its just sad.
Enjoy your car, drive it like its hot
![Stick Out Tongue](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#15
Passed On
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'll go along with ca993twin and mooty; if you drive so that the engine oil never gets up to normal temp, it isn't the best for the car. I feel that cars that have the carbon buildup in the intake are local putterers. I have 83K miles on my '95 with no engine/tranny/clutch problems, and I feel a big reason for no problems is that when I take it out of the garage, it's generally for a highway/rural road drive for an hour or more. Car also gets frequent "Italian tune ups". So, if you use your car to drive half-a-mile round trips to the super market or post office then shut it down, don't whine when the CEL comes on due to carbon buildup.