bmoore765

I just accpted a new Job where I will be riding the bus to work. The closest place for me to catch the bus is approximately 1.5 miles from my house. 95% of this short drive is on a busy highway with no sidewalks so walking or even riding a bike to the bus stop is not really an option especially in the winter due to weather but also because it's dark when I leave in the morning and return at night.

I am wondering what negative effects if any this will have on my Cobalt SS driving this short of a distance. Of course I will have ocassional errands to run after work and normal weekend driving but probably 4 out of 7 days it will simply be this short 1.5 mile each way commute. Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but I'm almost thinking I should drive around town for a little while just to warm up/charge the battery etc. Any opinons?

Shanedude

I'd say your fine and it won't damage anything. But maybe buy a pair of mittens for the car.

Grishbok

On these direct injected cars, short distance travelling appears to accelerate the build up of carbon deposits in the engine. It is recomended to allow the motors to reach full operational temperature for awhile before turning the motor off.

Nacademus

iTrader: (2)

Also, it is best to fully warm the engine, or else your coolant will age quicker than normal.

Malaclypse

iTrader: (1)

I've had a similar driving schedule as the OP since April. 2 miles one way. I do also drive it around town and on slightly longer trips during the weekends. I average 600 - 700 miles a month.

Just make sure that on occasion, when the car has been at operating temp for awhile... get into max boost for a couple of shifts to blow the carbon out. That and change your oil more frequently than the oil life monitor suggest. I go with 4 - 5000 miles between changes. That's about 40 - 45% oil life.

Turbalt2010

iTrader: (4)

**** i must not have one spec of carbon in my motor i hit full boost just about every time i use 1st and 2nd gear

ill tell you what i really dont have a spec of is, rubber on my tires. they are bald from this stupid driving of mine

FRQ FLYR

iTrader: (1)

Something I've noticed over the years: short trips can allow condensation to form in the exhaust and oil pan. Exhausts rust quicker; oil gets foamy.
Like everyone said try to let it warm up good to offset this.

CurrentlyPissed

It also allows excessive moisture to build intside the motor, make sure you are letting the car warm up to 180 before you move it, and after arriving let it sit for about 5 minutes runninng to burn off all excess moisture.

bri2203

iTrader: (10)

x2

You will be the first to buy an exhaust system twice before I will need one.

AyrtonSenna

this!! Definately this!! 100% this!!

TommyP

iTrader: (2)

Also you'll drain your battery pretty quickly. The car isn't going to have enough time between starts to recharge the battery after a while. My aunt used to do the same thing as this and she had to recharge the battery every month or two.