Am I ruining my new truck?

[brians09]

I live in the Bay Area and take BART (the train) to work. I drive 1.3 miles from my house to the station and leave it for the day, then drive 1.3 miles home after work, unless i drive to the store or run errands. Are this short 1.3 mile trips 5 days a week going to ruin my engine? I do the remote start about 1-2 minutes before I leave so it gets a change to warm up a little, but it never hits full warm up temp by the time i get to the bart station. Maybe I should get a bike or scooter, but I love driving my truck..

[sahls01gmc]

Gas engine? If so, you're ok. Just make sure to drive it more on the weekends to get the temps up, and heat up the exhaust pieces enough to get the moisture out.

[brians09]

Correct, it is the 5.3 engine. I definitely get out and drive every weekend to get the temps up. I also tow my trailer with ATVs in it about once a month, which probably helps clean it up.

 

Gas engine? If so, you're ok. Just make sure to drive it more on the weekends to get the temps up, and heat up the exhaust pieces enough to get the moisture out.

[sahls01gmc]

Should be fine then. Others may chime in with some additives that might be a good idea on a slightly more often interval than "regular" driving.

 

 

Side note, took the BART when I was out there for a wedding last year. I'm sure it takes some getting used to, but my wife and I sure had our hands full getting from one place to another. We missed a couple trains just to make sure we were in fact heading the right direction.

[morrislee]

Keep an eye on the battery voltage before your weekends maybe, this will tell you if your battery is getting enough charging time or if it is on the border line where it might stop it from starting the motor one day

[brians09]

Yea, BART took me a little while to get used to. Very easy to go the wrong direction if you are under ground (may have done that before haha).

Should be fine then. Others may chime in with some additives that might be a good idea on a slightly more often interval than "regular" driving.

 

 

Side note, took the BART when I was out there for a wedding last year. I'm sure it takes some getting used to, but my wife and I sure had our hands full getting from one place to another. We missed a couple trains just to make sure we were in fact heading the right direction.

 

 

I'm pretty sure it is charging the whole week because the gauge is always a hair above 14, then on the weekend when I finally drive down the highway it drops below the 14. Probably not great on the battery.

Keep an eye on the battery voltage before your weekends maybe, this will tell you if your battery is getting enough charging time or if it is on the border line where it might stop it from starting the motor one day

[morrislee]

Yea, BART took me a little while to get used to. Very easy to go the wrong direction if you are under ground (may have done that before haha).

 

 

I'm pretty sure it is charging the whole week because the gauge is always a hair above 14, then on the weekend when I finally drive down the highway it drops below the 14. Probably not great on the battery.

14 is charging voltage when it is running. Turn off the truck and put the key in ignition not run and then it will show you battery voltage.

 

Another way, key in the same spot,press the following three buttons: volume power button, home button and and menu button, this should give you a dev menu and go to HMI and then SPM will give you a digital reading of the voltage

[Tattooo]

If your driving it on the weekends your straight

[brians09]

Sweet! I'll try this out, I never knew about this "secret" menu. Thanks.

14 is charging voltage when it is running. Turn off the truck and put the key in ignition not run and then it will show you battery voltage.

Another way, key in the same spot,press the following three buttons: volume power button, home button and and menu button, this should give you a dev menu and go to HMI and then SPM will give you a digital reading of the voltage

 

Thanks. Dang, I started looking at motorcycles too...guess that'll wait

If your driving it on the weekends your straight

[Silverado-Hareek]

I live in the Bay Area and take BART (the train) to work. I drive 1.3 miles from my house to the station and leave it for the day, then drive 1.3 miles home after work, unless i drive to the store or run errands. Are this short 1.3 mile trips 5 days a week going to ruin my engine? I do the remote start about 1-2 minutes before I leave so it gets a change to warm up a little, but it never hits full warm up temp by the time i get to the bart station. Maybe I should get a bike or scooter, but I love driving my truck..

 

 

Gas engine? If so, you're ok. Just make sure to drive it more on the weekends to get the temps up, and heat up the exhaust pieces enough to get the moisture out.

 

I disagree. You're most certainly not ok if your engine is never getting up to full operating temperature for an extended period of time. In your conditions, you should at least once a week take it for a drive on the interstate, get on the throttle and rev those RPM's, and drive at full engine temperature for at least 10-20 minutes. You should also be using full synthetic oil and changing it every 6 months max. With your short distance, you can't just go by mileage for oil changes.

 

I'm basing my opinions on conversations with multiple mechanics. My wife has the same short commute to work every day.

 

You could also remote start your truck and let the engine warm up a bit before driving to work....that will help.

[Silverado-Hareek]

Correct, it is the 5.3 engine. I definitely get out and drive every weekend to get the temps up. I also tow my trailer with ATVs in it about once a month, which probably helps clean it up.

 

 

Sorry I missed this post. You should be fine if your towing once a month and taking it out for a drive every weekend.

[SMiller]

You will be fine, I would bump the oil change schedule up to compensate for the added moisture in the oil but other then that enjoy your truck.

[fondupot]

In the winter time, I would go out of your way to drive it a little more in the mornings.

[brians09]

What oil does the dealer use when they change it? I still take it in for the free 2 years of oil changes. I'll have to look since I just got it changed on Friday.

 

Side note, they also did that recall 15304 for the transfer case and it shifts so much better!!

You will be fine, I would bump the oil change schedule up to compensate for the added moisture in the oil but other then that enjoy your truck.

[MikeNH]

The dealer probably gets oil delivered in bulk, but it'll meet the Dexos standard. But as others say, I'd go by time for oil changes and not distance or the oil life monitor.