My new job has now got me driving less than a mile in bumper to bumper traffic, what i'm wondering is with that block never getting to operating temperature is it possible to harm anything? I know i am going to get the typical walk or ride your bike answers but our winters are actually considered winters in Chicago... I will be plugging it in very shortly and be blowing the dust off the winter cover

 

Switch to a synthetic if you still want to drive those short trips. You could plug your truck in on a timer so it warms up the first few hours before you wake up to drive but thats gonna bring up your utility bill.

I would just get a bike, if weather is permitting.

 

X2 on the timer 2-3 hrs is all that it needs. What little electricity it uses will be offset by the lack of wear and tear on the engine. Have your dealer enable the high idle feature on the engine. Between the block heater and a few minutes on a high idle warm up you should be fine..

 

I'd say run the truck every week or two for at least a half hour at normal operating temp.

The problem with repeated cold start/short trips is a lot of condensation builds up in the engine. Getting the oil hot enough for long enough to drive off the water once in a while, plus more frequent oil changes, and I think you will be fine.

Also use the block heater whenever you can. Make sure to get a heavy duty 3 prong timer.

 

4WD Toyota winter beater? Cheap.

 

Yes, short trips like that can be a problem. That falls under the severe use catagory for both gas and diesel engines.

Try and take the long way home once a week. Get the truck out on the roadways and run it for at least 30 minutes if you can.

Use the severe duty maint schedule - mostly that means more frequent oil changes.

I would also consider using a lighter weight oil, like 5W-30. Depending on other facters, of course.

 

for what it's worth, the severe duty oil change is recommended at about 3k miles...

 

Where is it listed or recommended for 3K OCI for severe duty? In my 06 Dodge owners manual has severe duty schedule oil change interval at 7500 miles and 15,000 for normal usage.

Now IMHO being the OP only drives 1 miles to and from work in very cold temps I would say yes 3K max is a great idea as his engine does not get up to the recommended 10 miles one way at full operating temp to keep it out of the severe operation schedule..

 

Its pricey, but it heats up the engine coolent and heats the cab on a programable clock in the cab. http://www.espar.com/html/products/coolantheaters.html