Motorists should never drive their vehicle for less than three minutes or risk costly damage, a leading mechanic has said. Many people turn to their cars for even the shortest of journeys, such as nipping to the shops or doing the school run, rather than go by foot.
But small trips can cause unnecessary damage as it is not enough to let the engine warm up properly. Expert Jason McManus, a master technician at online mechanic marketplace ClickMechanic, said a three-minute rule of thumb is a good one to stick to.
He said: “If you asked me what the biggest mistake drivers make that causes unnecessary damage, it would be taking small trips. If you only have to walk 15 minutes to the shop then skip the three-minute drive and go by foot instead.
“It causes more damage as the distance and time are not enough for the vehicle to warm up and the components are not reaching the right temperature and lubrication for optimum performance. This can cause a range of problems, including damage to the engine as the oil does not reach the ideal heat and density to lubricate the components it’s designed to.
“It can also shorten the battery’s lifespan as quick trips may not allow it to recharge itself and have the energy to start your vehicle the next time. Also, short distances can result in moisture gathering in the exhaust pipe but it doesn’t get hot enough to evaporate so it just sits there, which can lead to rusting.”
Vehicles are often built with longer journeys in mind as various components rely on being warmed up to run efficiently. As a result, regular stopping and starting, and the quick warming-up and cooling processes that entails, can risk damage.
It often takes just a few minutes for the vehicle to warm up sufficiently for a longer trip and allow vital components such as the engine and battery to work as they are designed to do. However, it’s not just damage to the car that motorists risk by driving short distances - it’s damage to the planet too.
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Mr McManus added: “We know that vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution and that driving short journeys is a considerable part of this. When the car is started everything is cold and it takes more effort to ignite fuel, so the engine is fed a richer mixture of fuel, creating more emissions.
“It’s the reason fumes from the exhaust often smell stronger when a vehicle is being started than they do when it has been running for a while. Considering the potential damage to the vehicle and the environment that comes with short trips, I would strongly warn against journeys of less than three minutes.”
