Define "short trip"

[Zero]

I've checked both of my owners manuals, one from Pontiac and one from Chevrolet and neither define the mileage used to designate a "short trip" which requires more frequent oil changes. Both manuals state if the OLM light comes on before 10 months use the severe service maintenance schedule or if the OLM comes on after 10 months use the normal service maintenance schedule.

Anyhow, what is the general consensus of the mileage that would constitute short-trip driving?

 

[Eddie]

Mazda says 10 miles of driving. Seems reasonable because it takes ~ 2 miles for water temp to come up and another 2-3 miles for oil temp to come up. Ed

 

[jimbrewer]

I'd say its definitely any trip where your car does not achieve normal operating temperature. Less than 20 minutes more or less. Based on my recent experience, I'd say its more than 'achieving' normal operating temperature but also maintaining it for a while.

 

[Errtt]

I dunno but I'd say not getting the oil up to temp long enough to burn off any condensation, excessive fuel etc. just my guess.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Short trip - Engine never gets to middle of temperature needle.

 

[widman]

Yep, has to heat up and burn off moisture. That is about 10 miles or more, depending on traffic, etc.

 

[05LGTLtd]

I'm no expert, but I don't consider my commute short tripping. My one way is about 15mins and it takes 5-7mins to warm the oil to full temp. So I'm running about ten minutes at temp. Anything shorter would be short tripping though. As I see it it's not only getting to temp but also holding temp for long enough to get water and fuel to evaporate.

On a side note, my car is designated "severe service" due to turbo, so I'm already on the short interval regardless.

 

[gregk24]

Any trip in which the engine oil does not reach operating temperature. In other words my cars life. 1 miles 5+ times per day.

 

[sm00thpapa]

My wife drives to college only and it's a 2 mile drive one way. So her Cav never gets up to normal operating temp.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
I'd say its definitely any trip where your car does not achieve normal operating temperature. Less than 20 minutes more or less. Based on my recent experience, I'd say its more than 'achieving' normal operating temperature but also maintaining it for a while.


I agree. Less than 20 minutes is a good cutoff for "short tripping".

 

[HTSS_TR]

Many car manufactures define short trip at 5 miles or less. in many cars engine/coolant reach operating temperature in about 2-3 miles, oil needs much longer driving distance to reach operating temperature.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
I'd say its definitely any trip where your car does not achieve normal operating temperature. Less than 20 minutes more or less. Based on my recent experience, I'd say its more than 'achieving' normal operating temperature but also maintaining it for a while.


I agree. Less than 20 minutes is a good cutoff for "short tripping".


True here in Florida it is so hot the car runs for 1 minute and the gauge states normal op temp. But I agree to at least drive it 20 minutes to burn off any excess water.

 

[spasm3]

Just because the engine is up to temp does not mean the oil is yet!

 

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Many car manufactures define short trip at 5 miles or less. in many cars engine/coolant reach operating temperature in about 2-3 miles, oil needs much longer driving distance to reach operating temperature.


Depends on operating temp too but I agree, my experience is it takes more than another couple miles for for the oil temp to catch up.

 

[Cooper]

Honestly, if I drive for 4-5 minutes then drain the oil, it is so hot draining that I can't touch it for long. I think the oil gets up to temp a lot faster than most are saying here. I can drive it for an hour and drain the oil and it still feels about the same....

 

[Donald]

If everything does not get up to the normal temp, then short trip. Obviously the muffler is going to get a lot hotter when its 90F out than 20F.

 

[KCJeep]

If we catch the light, it is 53 seconds from our driveway to the church parking lot. Very handy since this is our main social hub but it is HARD on the oil.

I've done several UOA's now and this constant abuse definitely wacks the TBN, although we also do a good bit of normal driving so we are getting stuff burned off eventually. Dino's are shot at about 3.5-4k, top tier syns about 7-8k.

For the OP's purposes, if you run your vehicle at least 5 minutes after the temp gauge is up to normal I'd not consider that a short trip, less than that I would.

 

[sm00thpapa]

In the 2 miles my wife drives to college there are 2 traffic lights that some times she catches and some times she don't. So it does take her between 5 and 8 minutes to get to school. With the AC blasting I would think in 8 minuets the engine is fully warmed up to operating specs. I do 5K OCI with High Mileage oil since she has a minor engine oil leak.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
Short trip - Engine never gets to middle of temperature needle.


There is no universal standard for gauge calibration, each car is different. 2 of my cars never reach the middle in normal operation, even with AC on or in extreme outside heat.

I know of some cars where normal temp is 5/8 or 3/4 of full scale.

 

[cp3]

As you can see, about 4 minutes for coolant to 90C and another 13 for the oil. This also isn't at city speeds.

I have to play around and take some stuff out of the log and make sure I get distance traveled in there.