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 ...