Infrequent driver of car

[DC_BS]

I'm not a daily driver of mine, I don't have to commute to work as I mainly work from home, and occasionally I drive to people's houses (freelance tutor) so haven't got a need to drive it everyday. Because of this sometimes the car will sit in front of the house for 2 days though I make an effort to take it out for a spin just to keep it running. Most Thursdays I'll take it down the motorway doing 70mph consistently for 20 minutes or so.

I read its really bad to just drive it 1/2 miles to the shops when the engine hasn't had a chance to properly warm up. If I'm going to the superstore say I make sure I take the longer route so it does 9 miles and the engine has warmed up a bit. Other days I'll take down a dual carriageway doing 50mph for as long as I can just to give it a proper run. Usually if driving to client's houses it never gets out of 2nd gear due to stop/start traffic which apparently is really bad too?

So how long should I try and drive for to give it a proper run? 10 miles? And constantly at 50mph or more? Its a diesel so its meant to be better for motorways.

I know if I don't move it often enough the battery doesn't charge properly, the oil doesn't get warmed up and the car's engine doesn't lubricate to make sure all the parts are working. Also you apparently use more fuel if doing it for short journeys?

[alexperkins]

To be honest, with modern engines, it doesnt really make much difference.

You will use more fuel on a colder engine, but thats just part of the fun

As long as its having a good blast every so often its fine.

[DC_BS]

2000 model hardly classes as 'modern' haha.

Fun part being shelling out more for fuel on cold engine usage lol I get it.

And what consists of a 'good blast'? I went and done 9-10 miles today, majority of it in 50 down dual carriageways. Yesterday I barely got out of 2nd gear in stop start driving but the engine was fully warmed up with the temperature needle right in the middle.

[alexperkins]

Modern enough - modern injection systems etc.

As long as its warmed up, and does the odd dual carriageway once or twice a week its enough. Just to get it running through the gears and rev ranges.

[DC_BS]

Mine wouldn't have the DFP or whatever its called, heard that if you only use it for short trips it can get clogged as the engine never fully works.

I go by the temperature sensor as a gauge, so I always drive it so the needle moves up to halfway or just below as a guide so I know I've driven it enough.

[alexperkins]

No, no DPF.

Yeah thats the best way

[DC_BS]

Think it'd be a nightmare if I was cos I only do long distance miles a couple of days a week. The rest is within 5 miles.

Still annoys me a bit the needle takes ages to get bang in the middle of the temp gauge but as long as it doesn't go over there's no urgent reason to panic.

[alexperkins]

It doesnt have to be right in the middle. As long as its thereabouts

VW normalised the temperature guages in the late 90s to automatically go to the middle regardless of temperature after they are 85+ plus till they go over 105 to give people more confidence that the engine is running at the right temperature

[DC_BS]

Its slightly below the middle mark, by about a fingernail, you can see the gap clearly, but its not by a lot.

If say, I was stuck in real bad traffic for like an hour (as I was last night) then it'll go to the middle. Maybe cos the engine is working overtime in first gear to get it moving after stopping at regular intervals.

[alexperkins]

I would say your gauge is just a little inaccurate. Nothing to worry about

[DC_BS]

I would hope so, had enough of repair work esp after the fiasco with the wheels!