Short trips wear your car more than you think

A 2–5 km drive feels “easy”, but technically it’s often the harshest mode: the car stays cold, fluids don’t stabilize, and moisture doesn’t evaporate properly.

Why short trips increase wear

• Cold-start wear: lubrication and clearances are not optimal right after start-up.
• Moisture & fuel residues: without full warm-up they remain in the oil and ventilation system.
• DPF issues (diesel): interrupted regenerations can increase soot and sometimes dilute oil.
• Battery stress: start-up consumes a lot; short runs may not recharge enough.

How to reduce the impact

• Do a longer drive occasionally (20–30 minutes) to reach full operating temperature.
• Combine errands to reduce the number of cold starts.
• Drive gently at the beginning — cold + short = worst combination.
• If diesel, avoid repeatedly interrupting DPF regeneration.

What to monitor if you mostly drive short trips

• Oil changes: consider shorter intervals (“severe use”).
• Battery health: slow cranking is often the first sign.
• Brakes: more corrosion / sticking can happen.
• Tire pressure: colder weather reduces pressure and increases wear.