How bad is it if you only ever make very short trips?

haha, nice. I've a 2017 with only 13K on it.

 

OP your truck will be fine. Like others have said, I would let it warm up a bit before your short commute. Maybe even a road trip here and there as you bought a nice truck to enjoy!

 

I love this topic...happy to provide my unsubstantiated opinions.

• My first set of cars (Flintstones epoch no doubt) had carburetors...it was important for longevity not to repeatedly start a cold engine as it could run rich enough to re-liquefy the fuel on the cylinder wall and increase friction wear by washing the oil. This problem is less of an issue these days but changing oil fairly regularly is intended to offset this for low usage engines.
• The condensation issue is more complex, it is always there and while ignition and compression cycles very quickly "burn it off", there is more of a chance water vapor can get behind the rings...if enough of this occurs you may see water in your crankcase that theoretically gets drawn up the oil intake...I'm not much of a worry wart of these sum of conditions, but, alas, the hedge on this one is to change the oil more frequently as well. (Depending on the number of 'likes' I get I may invest in Synthetic Oil Stocks)

In reality I'd not be surprised if even a .6 mile ride is not "enough" to counter-mind this..does the thermostat open? I'm a big fan of walking and saving the Earth, but I love driving my Taco too...do as Supertramp suggests, "Take the Long Way Home" and put the pedal to the metal.

Most of what I say is complete and utter balderdash and the above may be as well.

 

Atlanta Average Relative Humidty (Daily over Year) = 68%
Chicago = 71%

Bing Bing Bing, we have a winner.

 

Me, too. I'll meet you for a beer

 

Only good post in this whole thread.

 

What do you do for a living?

 

How’s your battery been so far? Usually they die quick because they don’t get proper time to recharge.

 

Same here. I purchased a new 2019 Off Road back in April and only have 1,200 miles on it. I work from home and over the summer took my motorcycle when I had to go somewhere since it was nice out.

 

I work at home and use the truck, maybe, once every 10 days, averaged.

This is one of few good use-cases for those low current (<= 8A) 'smart' battery maintainers. I keep the truck on one.

I also keep one on a cheap-o battery on my garage workbench for testing small engines, jumping equipment I seldom use, etc. That battery is 10 years old next month. It's in nearly perfect condition.

 

You are a man ahead of your time!

 

Do some pulls on the interstate once a month to clear things out that accumulate from frequent low rpm driving.

 

Yup I'm in the same boat as OP. Super short <1 mile commute to the office. I always make sure the temperature gauge shows fully warmed up before I shut it off, even if it means taking a longer loop on colder days (and increasing the commute to an entire 2 miles). But it also sees lots of highway time on the weekends. I do what you do. Severe maintenance schedule, including insisting on having the oil changed every 5k when the dealership says 10k. I recently discovered that the Taco seems to run just, I dunno, happier on days when I really wind it out. Thought it was my imagination but maybe you're right about blowing out all the carbon.

 

I'm not so sure about the condensation thing, but if OP lives in a cold place the valve train won't be getting oil fast enough to keep it properly lubricated. Definitely would go full synthetic and change oil every 3-4 months even if you only drive 1000 miles in that time. Also your battery probably won't last long since your starting the truck and shutting it off before it has time to charge. Maybe get a battery tender and let it trickle charge for an hour or two after you drive it home. A weak battery can be hard on your starter.

 

i too live close to my work as well, about 3 miles and so, i would usually drive the same vehicle farther once a week just to keep gears/battery in check.

 

Walk to work lazy ass