[PGabriel]

Hi.

I just got a new M135i. Once I learned that driving the car for short periods daily can eventually lead to a damage, due to inadequate gasoline heating time. Since my commute is very short, will I have trouble in the future using the car this way?

[spoonflames]

Hi I was not aware of this. Can you tell me more about this?

My commutes are also short which is why I changed from 125d to m135i

[PeterPure]

If you keep rpm below 3.5k and dont give 100% throttle the first 10 minutes its np.

[Bob UK]

Short runs where the car (Any fuel type) does not get properly warmed up can cause problems which is why it's a good idea to take it for a decent run on a regular basis if your normal use is short runs.

[PGabriel]

From: www.torquecars.com


The problem with a short journey is that the engine never reaches its operating temperature. The engine oil needs to reach its optimum viscosity to properly lubricate the main moving components in the engine. While cold the catalyst is unable to operate at peak efficiency thus reducing the life of your expensive catalyst. The combustion process does not become efficient until the engine reaches its operating temperature. An inefficient burn leaves acids and other toxins that eat your engine.

[PGabriel]

The questions then is: HOW LONG using the car this way will it take to start getting trouble?

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by PGabriel

The questions then is: HOW LONG using the car this way will it take to start getting trouble?

I don't think the short commute is more harmful than the first 15 minutes of a long drive, but if you only drive like that that, you will never be able to take advantage of the potential of the car, as you will/should always be driving very careful.

The car will also have few miles on it, but the same wear as a long miler. The next owner of the car will probably still pay extra for the short mileage, though, not thinking about the disadvantage.

[PGabriel]

Sorry, maybe I made myself misunderstood, my commute is short but I also drive the car for longer periods e.g. travels

[Bob UK]

Should be fine then.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by PGabriel

Hi.

I just got a new M135i. Once I learned that driving the car for short periods daily can eventually lead to a damage, due to inadequate gasoline heating time. Since my commute is very short, will I have trouble in the future using the car this way?

What mileage is your short commute? Does the oil temperature get to a decent figure, or hardly off the stop?

HighlandPete

[PGabriel]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What mileage is your short commute? Does the oil temperature get to a decent figure, or hardly off the stop?

HighlandPete

2 km...

On my Tiguan the temp gauge needle does reach the operational level. Don´t know about the bimmer since i haven´t picked her up yet :-)

[ttimbo]

Well, you'll never know, 'cos the M135i doesn't have a temperature guage.

2k commute? That's surely a good walk, in my books...although, having just come back from Brazil, there are 200m walks in Sao Paulo that I'd prefer to take a taxi for, rather than on foot

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by ttimbo

Well, you'll never know, 'cos the M135i doesn't have a temperature guage.

2k commute? That's surely a good walk, in my books...although, having just come back from Brazil, there are 200m walks in Sao Paulo that I'd prefer to take a taxi for, rather than on foot

My commute is also 2 km. I haven't used the car for this commute for several years. I use my bicycle. Last time I couldn't use the bicycle, due to 85 cm of snow, I used my cross country skies.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by PGabriel

2 km...

On my Tiguan the temp gauge needle does reach the operational level. Don´t know about the bimmer since i haven´t picked her up yet :-)

I see why you are concerned, that is no distance for any engine, let alone a 3.0 litre.

I'd imagine you are not going to reach much more than 40C ECT, unless you are in very high ambient temperatures.

I hate using my 535i for the grandson's school run, (4 x 1 mile, a couple of times a month), but at least they are mixed with longer runs.

Personally I see any run which doesn't get the engine to full heat soak is really too short. That is 10 - 12 miles in my model, even more distance in winter temperatures.

HighlandPete

[Ryanponti94]

Would you say doing 2x 12mile journeys Monday to Friday with a mix of 1-4m journeys throughout the week be bad for a m135i?

[ILUSV]

Excellent thread, I have a 2 mile commute as well. I try to take the car for an extended drive at least 3 times a week. I've finally hit 2000KM as well so I've been doing some nice pulls once properly warmed up (giving the car 15 min to warm up). The only thing I'm banking on is the Heat... It’s already 105F here (Saudi Arabia)... much different that Portland, OR

[Honziss]

I guees that critical is number of cold starts per some milage. Every cold start is bad for engine, but it's a big difference if you drive after 200kms on highway or 2kms in the city. My 116d is reaching 90'c oil temperature after 25kms of calm highway cruising when i leave my home and ambient temperature doesn't matter so much..

[ILUSV]

So starting an engine in 100 degree weather the same as 32?

[Honziss]

Originally Posted by ILUSV

So starting an engine in 100 degree weather the same as 32?

Basicaly, as lower starting temp is, then longer you need to heat it up. In my case I'm starting from garage which is under the building, temperature range there is 5'C in very cold winter to 20'C in summer and it nearly doesn't influence heating time. It's more influenced by style of driving, road profile, traffic ahead, startstop on/off.

[ovekvam]

Heating the car stationary at idle is not good for the car. It gets up to operating temperature faster if you start driving (gently) right away.

[SteveC]

Stop worrying and simply start enjoying your new car

If you do lots of short trips just change your oil more often. Your on-board service monitor will adjust the service interval to compensate for lots of cold starts. The biggest problem with short trips will be fuel consumption, due to the fact the mixture is enriched when the engine is cold.

A diesel does have an issue with its particle filter blocking but I'm not aware of any similar issues with a petrol car, other than the oil contaminating more quickly.

[Bob UK]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Stop worrying and simply start enjoying your new car

If you do lots of short trips just change your oil more often. Your on-board service monitor will adjust the service interval to compensate for lots of cold starts. The biggest problem with short trips will be fuel consumption, due to the fact the mixture is enriched when the engine is cold.

A diesel does have an issue with its particle filter blocking but I'm not aware of any similar issues with a petrol car, other than the oil contaminating more quickly.

Cat poisoning is the danger with a petrol and short running and an expense on a par with a DPF replacement.