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What can reasonably be considered a 'short journey' in terms of allowing the car to warm up?

Can you tell me how many miles you have to drive to avoid the symptoms of 'short run syndrome’? Talking to many OAP ladies on this subject, they seem to think a short run is only half a mile, whereas I am sure that in motoring terms, this is more than likely 15 miles. These ladies also think a 'long run' is 10 miles. Can you give any information on this subject as I realise that it is important for newish cars to be given long runs. However, many of the people I know think that having a car with low mileage is an asset.

Asked on 5 December 2012 by JL, via email

Answered by Honest John
At below zero temperatures, a car will need 5 - 10 miles for the engine merely to get to running temperature. Obviously in the summer, standing in 30 degrees centigrade, a car engine will reach full running temperature very quickly, probably within a mile. For the EC 'cold start' test they can be in an ambient temperature of 20 degrees to 30 degrees, so naturally manufacturers 'heat soak' them to 30 degrees.
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