Is it harmful to always drive short distances?
1 Answers
Always driving short distances is harmful to the car. The direct issue is that the engine oil doesn't have enough time to warm up during cold starts before reaching the destination. When the oil temperature is low, its viscosity is higher, requiring more energy to circulate the oil during engine operation, and the friction resistance between moving parts is also greater. This manifests as a significantly higher comprehensive fuel consumption per 100 kilometers compared to normal mid-distance or long-distance driving. Especially in winter, when the solidified oil softens and generates water vapor as the car temperature gradually rises, if the car doesn't fully warm up, the water vapor can't evaporate immediately. Over time, this water vapor accumulates and mixes with the engine oil, leading to oil emulsification again. Prolonged exposure to this condition will reduce the lubrication effectiveness of the engine oil.