Short Trips

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Short Trips
Tweet Topic Started: Mar 12 2012, 10:39 AM (982 Views)
LeoGeo	Mar 12 2012, 10:39 AM Post #1
Posts: 237 Group: Valued Members Member #1,440 Joined: Nov 18, 2009 Location Tacoma, WA Year/Make/Model 1995 Geo Metro 3-cyl 5-speed	My girlfriend got a new job only 3 miles away from our house and I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how to reduce engine wear. I was considering getting a Silicone Hot Pad Heater and sticking it to bottom of the oil pan, but it doesn't seem like those could possibly last more than a few years without falling off or otherwise getting destroyed. We would also favor something that is somewhat more passive than trying to remember to plug in a block heater every night.



idmetro	Mar 12 2012, 10:43 AM Post #2
Posts: 5,898 Group: Tech Certified Member #1,094 Joined: Aug 12, 2009 Location Mechanicsville, VA Year/Make/Model Metroless (through no fault of his own) 1989 (gone) 1996 hatchback (gone) 1992 Vert (gone)	At 3 miles away why not walk or bike? I am not familiar with anything passive that will fit your need - perhaps others have more ideas. Good Luck!



maxmpg	Mar 12 2012, 11:15 AM Post #3
Posts: 935 Group: Valued Members Member #4,303 Joined: Feb 2, 2011	---------Start soap box------------- Why do you think you need a block heater in Austin, TX? It may get cold sometimes, but unless you were in Fairbanks Alaska or Buffalo, NY I really don't see why you need one. At only 3 miles (unless that's freeway miles), I also gotta ask if a bicycle or similar personal transport wouldn't be more cost effective. A bicycle/electric scooter/etc would: reduce wear/tear on the Geo provide gas free transport. reduce maintenance costs, even though they would be minimal with such a short commute. ---------End soap box----------- only "passive" thing I can think of is letting the car idle til the engine temp warms up. Or a heated garage. Or if you want to get geeky, there's several options- 1) remote induction coil setup to transmit the electricity to the block heater, with auto-sensing intelligence to save energy 2) an auto-sensing heating element below the Geo. But again, I honestly wonder if this is more hassle than it's worth. The "wear/tear" of daily engine starting is minimal in Austin, TX. Edited by maxmpg, Mar 12 2012, 11:24 AM.



bansheetaz	Mar 12 2012, 11:22 AM Post #4
Posts: 653 Group: Valued Members Member #1,567 Joined: Dec 17, 2009 Location crawfordsville IN Year/Make/Model 95 geo metro	at only 3 miles i would sure get a backpack and a bike. especially in texas.



HelterSkelter	Mar 12 2012, 12:21 PM Post #5
#1 Pizza Driver Posts: 5,098 Group: Valued Members Member #6,942 Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Location Houston Texas Year/Make/Model 94 Geo Metro Base 1.0L 2 door 5 speed	i guess no one else realizes how hot and humid it gets here in texas. very few girls are going to want to go to work soaked in sweat. besides a few month in the winter and fall i would not even consider biking an option, even up there in austin. i would just run synthetic oil in your car and not worry too much about the wear and tear, it's only a few miles a few times a week right? that's not gonna kill the car. you're going to get less than awesome fuel economy but who cares? the super short commute ought to make up for it. i wouldn't let it idle to warm up either, that's like just sitting there watching your money fly away.



vr4	Mar 12 2012, 12:25 PM Post #6
Posts: 1,720 Group: Tech Certified Member #3,683 Joined: Nov 17, 2010 Location vancouver, wa Year/Make/Model 98 swift	Once a week take the car for a 10 minute run down the hwy. Problem solved. Fwiw the stick on oil pan heaters do work and last.



maxmpg	Mar 12 2012, 12:27 PM Post #7
Posts: 935 Group: Valued Members Member #4,303 Joined: Feb 2, 2011	HelterSkelter Mar 12 2012, 12:21 PM i guess no one else realizes how hot and humid it gets here in texas. very few girls are going to want to go to work soaked in sweat. besides a few month in the winter and fall i would not even consider biking an option, even up there in austin. i would just run synthetic oil in your car and not worry too much about the wear and tear, it's only a few miles a few times a week right? that's not gonna kill the car. you're going to get less than awesome fuel economy but who cares? the super short commute ought to make up for it. i wouldn't let it idle to warm up either, that's like just sitting there watching your money fly away. That makes perfect sense 'round here, summertime is bike riding season - they come out in DROVES.



Coche Blanco	Mar 12 2012, 12:31 PM Post #8
Troll Certified Posts: 21,983 Group: Valued Members Member #982 Joined: Jul 15, 2009 Location North Alabama Year/Make/Model 1993 3/5	Yeah its hotter than balls in Texas. I would run 0w30 and call it a day.



vr4	Mar 12 2012, 12:36 PM Post #9
Posts: 1,720 Group: Tech Certified Member #3,683 Joined: Nov 17, 2010 Location vancouver, wa Year/Make/Model 98 swift	Quote: 'round here, summertime is bike riding season - they come out in DROVES. yup. 10 points each. My personal best is 170. 2 for 1s are my favorite when they jump infront of you without looking. Edited by vr4, Mar 12 2012, 12:38 PM.



maxmpg	Mar 12 2012, 12:42 PM Post #10
Posts: 935 Group: Valued Members Member #4,303 Joined: Feb 2, 2011	vr4 Mar 12 2012, 12:36 PM yup. 10 points each. My personal best is 170. 2 for 1s are my favorite when they jump infront of you without looking. Edited by maxmpg, Mar 12 2012, 12:43 PM.



vr4	Mar 12 2012, 12:49 PM Post #11
Posts: 1,720 Group: Tech Certified Member #3,683 Joined: Nov 17, 2010 Location vancouver, wa Year/Make/Model 98 swift	Sorry. We need a sarcasm smiley. Though many of them deserve to get hit. Blowing thru lights and stop signs. When they actually do stop I let them go first.



maxmpg	Mar 12 2012, 12:58 PM Post #12
Posts: 935 Group: Valued Members Member #4,303 Joined: Feb 2, 2011	vr4 Mar 12 2012, 12:49 PM Sorry. We need a sarcasm smiley. Though many of them deserve to get hit. Blowing thru lights and stop signs. When they actually do stop I let them go first. There's a lot of bike riders who consider STOP signs "road artwork" to ignore, so I know what you mean. I'll use this emoticon combo to express sarcasm: Edited by maxmpg, Mar 12 2012, 12:59 PM.



HelterSkelter	Mar 12 2012, 01:00 PM Post #13
#1 Pizza Driver Posts: 5,098 Group: Valued Members Member #6,942 Joined: Sep 24, 2011 Location Houston Texas Year/Make/Model 94 Geo Metro Base 1.0L 2 door 5 speed	i start sweating after about 2 minutes outside and i have lived in texas or hotter (jakarta) all my life. and hell yes, those a@#holes need to stop for stop signs and use the sidewalk when possible. i don't care if you're bike costs 5000 dollars and your neighborhood average 500k+ per house, GET THE F%^& OFFA MAH ROOOOOAD!!!!!!!!!!!! i just love buzzing by them super close or cutting them off at 4 way stops, i stop first i have the right of way to go first, if you don't stop i'm not gonna just let you go. i had one guy come back to dominos and complain that i didn't let him go, i explained to him right in front of my manager that "if you are riding a bike on the road you have to follow all the rules any other vehicle would and that he failed to yield the right of way. you are no longer a pedestrian if you ride down the road, only if you are riding across it are you considered a pedestrian. you should go read up on it" my manager and i just laughed at that dude as he walked away in his silly biking tights. Edited by HelterSkelter, Mar 12 2012, 01:00 PM.



Coche Blanco	Mar 12 2012, 01:13 PM Post #14
Troll Certified Posts: 21,983 Group: Valued Members Member #982 Joined: Jul 15, 2009 Location North Alabama Year/Make/Model 1993 3/5	bicycles have just as much right of way as a car.



vr4	Mar 12 2012, 01:17 PM Post #15
Posts: 1,720 Group: Tech Certified Member #3,683 Joined: Nov 17, 2010 Location vancouver, wa Year/Make/Model 98 swift	Coche Blanco Mar 12 2012, 01:13 PM bicycles have just as much right of way as a car. Thats the point. Many of them think they are above the rules. Last year we had a bunch of cyclists hit in portland. In every case I can think of that was in the city the rider was said to be ignoring the laws.



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