Start on/off wear

[MuscleDaddi]

Hey guys,

I believe I read some where that starting and driving an m3 and not letting it heat up to optimal temp can cause more wear or seal issues.

I am currently in the process of getting my second car to my new home but right now I am driving the m. In the morning 7am I drive to the gym which is less than a mile and then to work which is also less than a mile.

I am a manager and thus need a car at all times. This driving habit won't last for more than 2 weeks max...so the million dollar question is...

Is this really damaging to engine?

[apecush]

Short term this shouldn't be that bad as long as you go for a drive that brings the oil up to temperature every few days. When you don't let the oil get up to temperature, contamination of the oil (fuel, water, and other combustion byproducts) don't get a chance to evaporate. Long term this can mean big problems.

[MuscleDaddi]

Thanks!

Usually during my break I go do errands and require me to drive long enough to properly cycle and heat the oil

[Sebringjetta]

any car that does not get driven enough can have seals that dry up along with other issues....mine only sees about 3k miles a year and is mostly my garage queen but i make it a point to take it out every now and then...

[MuscleDaddi]

My car gets driven almost as a daily driver but I don't want to rack on "useless" 2 mile drives to and from work.

I am getting a second car to have for work purposes and the m for spirited drives and gettin the ladies aroused

[grantmax]

Originally Posted by MuscleDaddi

My car gets driven almost as a daily driver but I don't want to rack on "useless" 2 mile drives to and from work.

I am getting a second car to have for work purposes and the m for spirited drives and gettin the ladies aroused

Search "Edward" on here. He had a thorough thread on short commutes and the effect on the car a few months ago.

My opinion - drive the car.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by MuscleDaddi

My car gets driven almost as a daily driver but I don't want to rack on "useless" 2 mile drives to and from work.

I am getting a second car to have for work purposes and the m for spirited drives and gettin the ladies aroused

Walk.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Walk.

Bike

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Bike

but its only 2 miles!!!

I walk sometimes.....but sometimes I don't because I don't feel like walking home at 11pm (which I already have) after and 14hour work day (yep, no lunch breaks)...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

but its only 2 miles!!!

I walk sometimes.....but sometimes I don't because I don't feel like walking home at 11pm (which I already have) after and 14hour work day (yep, no lunch breaks)...

I think you forgot something !
Belgium is.....The land of cycling,actualy we have the best Pro. cyclist's of the world ,and you can take a bike for any distance..so why not ?

[M3-S65]

Short term driving is no worse than track or spirited driving.
Enjoy the car and drive it.
If your worried about it, change the oil more regularly and get your oil tested yearly by blackstone.

[fronceyangf]

Long term this can mean big problems.

[M3-S65]

This of course takes time ^^^ and not adjusting your maintenance due to these conditions.
To remove this moisture you need to bring the engine up to normal operating temps. So throughout the week take the long way home, and on the weekends go for a drives into town etc. It only takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to get oil to correct temp. Also change the oil more frequently.
I know its an M3 but the cars primary goal is to get you from point A to point B. Just keep up with the maintenance and drive your car.
Spirited driving with its increased RPM levels and increased friction associated with it, will cause wear on engine parts, "bearings" and connection rods with small clearance issues, so the damage is taking place in this situation also.

Bottom line nothing stays the same, you can only increase your maintenance due to your personal conditions and not worry about it. BTW, The oil change recommendations of BMW is wack. I change mine every 6 months.

[Kanweezy]

Jesus, let the car warm up for 5 freakin minutes then leave, don't bang out the gears until the magic heat meter shows the redline where it's supposed to be

[STi_traitor]

[Harpua]

Originally Posted by Kanweezy

Jesus, let the car warm up for 5 freakin minutes then leave, don't bang out the gears until the magic heat meter shows the redline where it's supposed to be

Ummm, no.
Letting it "warm up" for five minutes is likely the worst thing you can do to this engine.

[quicktwinturbo]

Originally Posted by Harpua

Ummm, no.
Letting it "warm up" for five minutes is likely the worst thing you can do to this engine.

10 min then? Do explain

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by quicktwinturbo

10 min then? Do explain

An idling engine takes much longer to warm up. Letting it idle for ten minutes means it is running cold for ten minutes. It's much better to start the car and drive off right away. Just keep it below 3k until it warms up.

[e-solo]

Originally Posted by tinman831

An idling engine takes much longer to warm up. Letting it idle for ten minutes means it is running cold for ten minutes. It's much better to start the car and drive off right away. Just keep it below 3k until it warms up.

As mentioned, these engines need to be warmed up in motion. Letting it warm up sitting there idling is not the right way to warm up the engine. Just drive the car the long way home and enjoy it a bit. Its only two weeks as you mentioned, so no harm no foul.

[bimdo]

Originally Posted by e-solo

As mentioned, these engines need to be warmed up in motion. Letting it warm up sitting there idling is not the right way to warm up the engine. Just drive the car the long way home and enjoy it a bit. Its only two weeks as you mentioned, so no harm no foul.

correct-the manual says do not let the car sit to warm up,drive off right away,but at moderate engine speeds.

[BobS]

Originally Posted by robbiedawg

correct-the manual says do not let the car sit to warm up,drive off right away,but at moderate engine speeds.

BMW has always said that....back in the day my 1996 e36 328's manual said to never let it warm up, you need to drive it immediately at moderate speeds.

[e-solo]

Originally Posted by BobS

BMW has always said that....back in the day my 1996 e36 328's manual said to never let it warm up, you need to drive it immediately at moderate speeds.