[Sam I am]

Folks, my father in law is looking for a new truck and has his heart set on Ram 1500. He and I test drove an Eco Diesel this afternoon...WOW! Anyway, my father-in-law asked a good question based on his past experience and my experiences reinforces it: always let your diesel get up to temp. So, will short trips hurt this engine? My commute to work is only 1 mile...would I be hurting this truck doing that everyday?

Please don't take this as a dumb question...just not sure if the newer technology diesels overcome the old school practices?

 

[tugboat]

if that is your concern warm the truck up before going

 

[Sam I am]

So, does that mean I need to warm my truck up for 15 minutes to take a 2 minute drive every time? That's the question. I don't want to do that, so should I pass on the diesel and go for the gasser?

 

[RamBam]

Are you going to do much towing or hauling?

 

[L.O.A.]

I think that if you're in a rush and not going to warm it up, just take it easy, dont mash the pedal like a hoon.

 

[shaker223]

Short trips are bad for all engines however for seasoning a block for racing it's good. The short trip don't allow the engine to come up to proper temp to burn off crankcase condensation.

 

[tugboat]

honestly i dont think its a huge issue. just let the car warm up for 5 or 10 minutes. and drive it hard for the short trip

thats what i'd do


do you use the truck on the weekends?

 

[L.O.A.]

I think the most important thing is to let it idle and warm up enough so all the fluids start flowing, so even a few minutes is good, better than not doing this at all

 

[tugboat]

i wouldnt worry too much about it

but it is worth asking.. if you are only going to be traveling such a short distance. why get the diesel for the extra $$?

 

[Accused]

I'd say the real concern would be if its the first trip of the day. If your Eco already has miles on it for the day dont worry about a short 2 minute drive, its if you fire it up in the AM and shuffle yourself a few minutes down the road then issues can begin to crop up...

 

[tugboat]

here is an article about a similar scenario

though its from globe and mail.. hardly credible

Need a short-haul grocery getter? Don't pick diesel - The Globe and Mail

 

[L.O.A.]

Good read although it's not from an automotive publication, they still make some valid points that you'd find else where.

 

[tugboat]

“I hate to say it, but I don't think diesel's right for this guy,” says Volkswagen Canada spokesman Thomas Tetzlaff. “They're quiet, they have great acceleration and extremely good fuel efficiency. But they’re really not designed to be driven just five kilometres a day.”

Diesel engines don't use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, like gasoline engines do. In a diesel engine, fuel is injected into the cylinders at such high pressure that the air in the cylinders heats up and the fuel ignites. In modern cars, this takes a second or two after turning the key.

Tetzlaff says diesel engines generally need to warm up a bit after starting to get to their ideal operating temperature – when they're most fuel-efficient – especially in the colder months.

“In a span of five kilometres, they're not even going to be remotely warm yet,” he says. “A diesel does great in the city. It's not so much the stop-and-go driving that's the problem for this driver. It's just the really short distances each day.

block heater is your solution in the winter

and in the summer just get a remote start.

start up the car 10 minutes before you leave the house (usually when you are putting your pants and shirt on haha)

 

[L.O.A.]

How cold does it get where you're located?

 

[shaker223]

I was even considering using the block heater in warmer months to expedite warm up. I see a significant increase in MPG according to the truck's computer when it is warm vs. cold.

 

[Accused]

I was even considering using the block heater in warmer months to expedite warm up. I see a significant increase in MPG according to the truck's computer when it is warm vs. cold.

what are we talking as significant here? And is it consistently significant?

 

[shaker223]

5-10 mpg increase per computer from dead cold to full operating temp.

 

[The Diesel Guy]

Drive it like any other gas, car or truck....... These new Diesels aren't like the old Diesels. My 03 Cummins I drive 4 miles to work and 4 miles home every day, and drive it just like any gas truck. I've been driving it every day for the last ten years, 0 problems.. The only time I let it warm up is when it's below 25 deg, or so.

 

[L.O.A.]

Drive it like any other gas, car or truck....... These new Diesels aren't like the old Diesels. My 03 Cummins I drive 4 miles to work and 4 miles home every day, and drive it just like any gas truck. I've been driving it every day for the last ten years, 0 problems.. The only time I let it warm up is when it's below 25 deg, or so.

not bad at all then, good to know that especially since you've been doing this for 10 years which says a lot.

 

[tugboat]

Drive it like any other gas, car or truck....... These new Diesels aren't like the old Diesels. My 03 Cummins I drive 4 miles to work and 4 miles home every day, and drive it just like any gas truck. I've been driving it every day for the last ten years, 0 problems.. The only time I let it warm up is when it's below 25 deg, or so.

well there ya go

i wouldnt worry too much about it

if the diesel is what you want. go for it.