Severe operating conditions

[Allan023]

Why are "engine idling for a long period" or "short-distance travel" considered as Severe Operating Conditions? All others related to "more stress". I don't see how these 2 can cause more stress to the engine? thanks

[dr. d]

Why are "engine idling for a long period" or "short-distance travel" considered as Severe Operating Conditions? All others related to "more stress". I don't see how these 2 can cause more stress to the engine? thanks

errr... the oil doesn't get to flow optimally?

[papi smith]

How far do you have to travel or long idling before the oil flows optimally? I read somewhere here that it takes only seconds before the oil completely covers the moving parts.

[Allan023]

errr... the oil doesn't get to flow optimally?

With all the advancement we've made in automotive technology, we cannot make the oil flow optimally if we don't travel far enough, even if we have the engine running?

[jick.cejoco]

To give the doubt the benefit:
Service intervals and warranty covers time or mileage whichever comes first. Unless your car has start/stop capability (engine stops when engine is running and vehicle is stopped for more than three seconds), the engine continues to run whether you like it or not with zero, zilch, nothing added to your odometer reading while the engine is running. As for short drives, the oil does not get hot enough to rid itself of moisture or contaminants which are byproducts of combustion released as blowby gases

[jick.cejoco]

And your car does not have an hour meter like a standby generator

[Allan023]

To give the doubt the benefit:
Service intervals and warranty covers time or mileage whichever comes first. Unless your car has start/stop capability (engine stops when engine is running and vehicle is stopped for more than three seconds), the engine continues to run whether you like it or not with zero, zilch, nothing added to your odometer reading while the engine is running. As for short drives, the oil does not get hot enough to rid itself of moisture or contaminants which are byproducts of combustion released as blowby gases

Thank you! Both explanation makes perfect sense!

[Jun aka Pekto]

I guess winter driving counts. I spent 6 winters in New York which lasted 6 months of the year. I had to start up our cars and leave them running for 10-15 minutes until the engine warmed up and the heater had warm air flowing. That had to be done first before going to work and then again before going home.

Usually, I started up the car and left it idling while I went back inside the house and had breakfast.

At -40F/-40C and colder? Forget it. The ignition won't even turn.

[Walter]

Long idling or driving in traffic is not good because of heat, the engine is not ventilated well compared to when it's running in an open road. Frequent short trips (less than 5 kms or 10 minutes) is not good because the engine / DPF / catalytic converter has not fully warmed up.

[Walter]

With all the advancement we've made in automotive technology, we cannot make the oil flow optimally if we don't travel far enough, even if we have the engine running?

That would be an electric car ...

[Janemar]

Why are "engine idling for a long period" or "short-distance travel" considered as Severe Operating Conditions? All others related to "more stress". I don't see how these 2 can cause more stress to the engine? thanks

1. Engine oil pressure is proportional to engine rpm(unless naka electric oil pump ka or variable oil pump) idle ang lowest oil pressure you will have, meaning least protection sa bearings. Conrod, mains, cam caps, cam lobes, etc...

2. Again, low rpm, low engine oil splash within the engine = Oil level in upper parts of the engine is less than ideal(camshaft/valvetrain/timing chain tensioner/chain guide/head/vtec/vvti/mivec mechanisms are affected.)

3. Given na low oil movement within the engine(oil stagnant pockets will form) at low rpm(idle a.k.a. EDSA trapik) + hotspots + never heard cheap engine oils = engine gunk and sludge!

4. On old systems, EGR and PCV system will do exhaust recirculation and oil mist blow-by to engine intake manifold at idle. Okay lang naman, BUT overtime, daily/repeated very long idle or low engine RPM like 3hours trapik in EDSA, dun nakakaproblema because like oil pressure, intake air speed going to engine is proportional to RPM. High RPM = high air flow going to engine. Stagnant/low air flow during idle + oil vapor from pcv + exhaust fumes from egr = intake manifold sludge, exhaust system, valve stem, sticking rings, piston top and chamber.

It's not saying na overnight, pag dumaan ka sa trapik or nag idle ka ng matagal is sira na agad yan. Overtime it adds up lang especially di mo nasusunod or nagtitipid ka sa PMS or mali ang PMS at di nacheck ung mga dapat i check like sludge build up due to excess idle, etc...

[unmarked]

Why are "engine idling for a long period" or "short-distance travel" considered as Severe Operating Conditions? All others related to "more stress". I don't see how these 2 can cause more stress to the engine? thanks

I wont go all tech on you like them, mas alam nila yan. But cars are built to move and not stop and go all day everyday for 2-4 hrs or more. Its the same as abuse/misuse ng kotse.

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[oj88]

For one thing, idling dumps more unburned fuel into the oil passing through the rings. This dilutes the oil, changing its viscosity and use up the additive package. That's why excessive idling requires you to change oil more often.

Another is emissions. The catalytic converter needs to be glowing hot before it can do its work. Idling means the cat may not reach operating temp and your car ends up spewing more toxins that it does when it's running on the highway.

[papi smith]

In my case, every 5am, I drive to the bus stop 2 kms from our house and stop the engine for 5-10 mins then go back home. Then 2.5 hours later I go to work 8 kms away and back home at pm. 4 cold starts a day, 5 days a week. Eto na ata ang severest to the maximum effect of severity condition.

Question lang, would it be better if I don't turn off the engine when I drive to the bus stop in the morning?

[vinj]

In my case, every 5am, I drive to the bus stop 2 kms from our house and stop the engine for 5-10 mins then go back home. Then 2.5 hours later I go to work 8 kms away and back home at pm. 4 cold starts a day, 5 days a week. Eto na ata ang severest to the maximum effect of severity condition.

Question lang, would it be better if I don't turn off the engine when I drive to the bus stop in the morning?

If you are idling any longer than half a minute more or less, shut off.

[oj88]

If you are idling any longer than half a minute more or less, shut off.

That's a bit OA, IMO. Maybe if your vehicle is designed for it (Start-Stop). Otherwise, 30 seconds (+/- a few) is too short. Maybe 3-5 minutes, and only if your vehicle is parked.

You don't want to do it while in bumper-to-bumper traffic or else, you'll be shutting down and starting the engine 20-30 times per trip.