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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I would consider 6 miles, with some of it freeway to be sufficient to avoid excess wear problems. That should be enough to heat it fully and burn off condensation. In my case, it's only 3 miles each way at 35 MPH to the park and ride where I catch a bus, and the needle barely moves off of C in that distance. For that reason, I bought an old beater 1997 Escort to use, and save wear on the two newer cars. Still, it's up to 170,000 miles now without any issues.
My advice is to take short tripping vehicles for a nice long highway drive on the weekend. Varying the RPMs and such can lessen the aforementioned issues.
Also called "an Italian tune-up". Put it up near the red line for a few miles, to blow off the carbon deposits.
I would consider 6 miles, with some of it freeway to be sufficient to avoid excess wear problems. That should be enough to heat it fully and burn off condensation. In my case, it's only 3 miles each way at 35 MPH to the park and ride where I catch a bus, and the needle barely moves off of C in that distance. For that reason, I bought an old beater 1997 Escort to use, and save wear on the two newer cars. Still, it's up to 170,000 miles now without any issues.
I actually work 3/4 mile from home. I have a scooter that I ride 90% of the time, but on really cold or rainy days I have to drive my car. I usually try to do whatever errands I need to do on those days after work, that way the engine gets fully warmed up before coming home. Sometimes I go out of town on the weekends too (70-100 miles), so I figure that probably burns off most of the excess moisture.
Frequent oil changes are a must if you don't drive alot. All of the gunk and stuff isn't burned off and once the oil becomes junk its hard on the o rings and whatnot.
I used to only put maybe 3-4 miles a day on my car(BMW 3.0L). No issues in the beginning but once winter came around and the engine didn't heat up enough, the o-rings and a few other seals went. It started burning oil like a mofo.
The oil was about 1 1/2 year old since I didn't drive it much when I just got it. Brought the car with 122k, new oil then, by 124 the seals had already went.
Also the amount of condensation and unburned fuel in the combustion chamber isn't that great on the engine either.
My dad always does his oil changes by mileage interval, and his secondary cars never last before something goes wrong.
If you have white smoke after the car is warmed up - could be a blown head gasket[/url][/b].
Don't scare people! lmao.
My Subaru blows white smoke(not thick, just condensation) all of the time. No head gasket issues, nor is coolant being burned. Maybe its the turbo or something, cause it happens the most then it rains or is humid outside. I've seen this alot on other Subarus too.
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