Opinions on a muffler

Gotcha.

 

What you have been told is correct. Short tripping kills an engine as well as an exhaust system over time. They need to be run at operating temp for at least 20 minutes to burn off all the condensation that builds up especially in frigid climates. Where I live in WY many people don't even turn off their engines in the winter when they go shopping. If I'm out running errands on a weekend and it's really cold outside I never turn mine off unless I'll be shopping for more than 15 or 20 minutes minutes or so and even then, maybe not. I let mine run pretty much from the time I leave home until I get home 99% of the time. I never put it into gear in the winter either until the temp needle is AT LEAST on the cold mark.