I've always heard that short trips are really bad for a car and now I'm getting paranoid about ruining my S's engine. My commute to work is only 4.5 miles and when I got to my girlfriend's house it is only roughly a 4 minute drive. I take long trips to Jersey, but that's only every couple of weeks or so and most of my other driving is relatively short.

What can I do to make sure my car is staying healthy? I don't have an alternate car to drive to work.

 

Over a long period of time short trips will shorten the life of your engine, but I wouldn't be paranoid about it. I would just advise to change your oil a little more often to flush out contaminants that aren't burned off and/or take your car for a longer 15+ minute drive at least once a week. Since you live in the Long Island/Jersey area I would be more worried about your car being stolen or vandalized than hurting your engine with short trips J/K

 

Hahaha I'm already plenty worried about that, trust me! I don't know how my girlfriend puts up with it.

I'll definitely have to take it for a long trip once a week. Are there are any signs I should look for as far as wear from the short trip?

 

I definitely keep up on my maintenance, but I had an Integra as my first car and I used to drive it less than a mile to work. In retrospect I shouldn't have been so lazy, but that was my first car. I got it at around 61k and sold it at 96k 6 years later, but it was super sluggish by the time I sold it and the Cat went. I think I read short trips can damage the exhaust and I guess that would be the culprit?

My second car was an 08' Si that I bought brand new, but I did a lot of highway driving at the time cause I had a friend that lived 35 miles away and that I hungout with often, but I don't make that trip anymore. I only had her for 3 years and did under 26k. This car has been a dream of mine for 11 years, so I want to do whatever it takes to keep her in the best shape possible.

 

My commute is even shorter than yours, but I'm still driving it every other day (swapping between cars). Honestly there is no reason to worry. The negative thing is that your engine does not warm up completely in just 3-4 miles. More fuel is being used, but with such a short commute, I don't really care.

I've been thinking of using my electric scooter to get to work, but after a long day, I rather just drive home.

 

Your mileage minder should be a great indicator of your oil life.

 

Cool, all your replies put my mind at ease. Thanks, guys.

 

its a Honda, but its a high performance Honda and its not gonna be as bullet proof as Civic. at 30k I already had new coil packs and valves adjusted on my 06. my friends Civic has over 100k miles and only 1 strut issue

 

just take it out for a spin with your girl @ weekend. Short trips isn't good for you car, battery etc.
Engine needs to reach normal operating temperature. Don't stress about it. My question for you is how the heck can you take the S out and drive it 3-4 min? I do whatever I can to find longest way home! My car doesn't like garage. It wants to be driven!

 

short trips arent any worst for your car at all. Its the stop and go thats worst then say someone that only does highway diving