IDEALLY, how long should a diesel be run per use? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Phil · #31 04-05-2007, 10:05 AM

I live on property that has been in the family for about 100 yrs and was a small working farm up until the early 70s. This area became popular for the telecom industry so a mile from my house they built a lot of office space, all 1 and 2 story buildings. With the rolling hills in this area when I get home it all still looks like farm land and open space and yet 1 mile away is all this office space. I could make more money if I commuted but then I would have to be on the road by 5:30 am and get home around 7:00 pm. Now I leave at 5 min. to 7 and get home at 3:35

I did the commute thing for many years and I just can't bring myself to to it again.

SwampYankee · #32 04-05-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

These cars are pretty tough, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you let it warm up at some point during the day, and change the oil more often because nothing will burn off it will be fine.

That's what I was hoping. I change the oil on all of my cars every 3 months whether they need it or not. And it does get run during the day, it's just that initial drive to work in the morning that I was wondering about. I usually walk home for lunch if the weather is nice, if it's not I just drive straight home. Rarely do I ever just drive straight home after work, I've usually got to drop something or somebody off somewhere or pick a kid up from a friend's house.

So I guess lifestyle choice aside, the car should be fine with what I'm doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

I could make more money if I commuted but then I would have to be on the road by 5:30 am and get home around 7:00 pm. Now I leave at 5 min. to 7 and get home at 3:35

I love what I'm doing and it's a 115 yo family business to boot so I wouldn't change my job, but I could get a lot nicer house with much bigger lot if I drove 30 minutes from here. But the fact is my kids, and the school they attend, are the most important thing to me. I love the fact that I get to spend my lunch hour with my 7mo and get to get my 4 yo off the school bus and hang with him for a little while before I head back to work. And I've got a lot more time after work to get the older 2 out of the house and expending some energy instead of sitting in a car listening for traffic updates.

justinperkins · #33 04-05-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I let my TD idle in the morning while I bring the dog out for his morning duties and I take a leisurely drive around the neighborhood in the morning to stretch it out another 5-10 minutes depending on how late I'm running.

That could possibly be another discussion, but I try not to let my diesels sit there idling when cold. The engine will never really warm up like that. I start mine cold, and once the idle has evened out (5 seconds or so), I immediately hit the road to let it really warm up.

SwampYankee · #34 04-05-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

That could possibly be another discussion, but I try not to let my diesels sit there idling when cold. The engine will never really warm up like that. I start mine cold, and once the idle has evened out (5 seconds or so), I immediately hit the road to let it really warm up.

Is that long enough to let it idle? Maybe warm up isn't the term I should have used, more like get the oil warmed up and flowing. I'm not really idling to get it up to operating temp., just long enough to get some heat in the engine and the idling quiets down. The amount of time has more to do with how long my dog takes to make his morning rounds than anything else. Bear in mind the last diesel I had racked up plenty of miles from the then much longer commute and all of my work trucks run all day long, I've never dealt with a diesel and short duration driving before which is why I was wondering.

tobybul · #35 04-05-2007, 03:45 PM

I was told by a co-worker who was a loooong-time mb diesel owner that prolonged idling is not recommended for these cars, unlike tractor trailer diesels that truckers leave idling all the time..... just sharing what I was told....

I do the same thing in the morning - start her up and go as soon as the idling levels off - about 2 seconds...

cscmc1 · #36 04-05-2007, 04:03 PM

I've heard, and assumed to be correct, that one of the bigger costs of short drives (in cold weather, at least) is that the exhaust warms just enough for condensation to form, but not enough to heat/blow it all out. Thus your exhaust might rust out sooner... any thoughts?

BTW, I live a mile from work and walk or ride my bike every day. It's good exercise, if nothing else, and luckily, my job does not require me to have a vehicle.