Commute too short

[jdbower]

Are you in the market for a new car anyway? If so, you can consider one of Hammacher Schlemmer's electric vehicles. They probably cost as much as a typical sedan (and some much, much more I'm sure) but they may ease your conscious about abusing a gas engine.

I have the same issue with making a lot of really short trips every time I drive my wife crazy - the wear and tear just isn't worth it

 

[schmism]

what about some other mode of transportation.

a golf cart, 4wheeler, UTV (come with full cage)

both options are no more dangerous on rural roads than scooters.

but the idea that your on rural roads is kinda confusing... you live within a mile of a high school. by definition that sounds mostly "town-ish"

 

[Ronbo]

Your biggest problem will be acid build up in the oil. Maybe she can find a round about way to come home at night. You could buy a Prius. The dump hot antifeeze into the motor before it starts so it will never start cold. It also keeps the engine running until the cat converter gets up to temp. Whatever she drives, make sure you change the oil and filter every 3000 miles to get the acidic deposits out. You might think about an ATV so she can drive along the edge of the road, she would be the coolest teacher there.

Ron

 

[schmism]

are you handy?

any hybrid can be converted to plug in status with a little work. plug in allows you to get the first 10-30 miles "for free" never running the gas engine.

 

[archerm3]

Wife best of all landed her dream job, AP at high school. I am very happy for her, of course, the only problem - the school is less than a mile commute.
Due to the character of the roads, there is no way she could walk or bike and I am afraid it is gonna kill the car fast.
One mile in the morning, one mile in the evening will not allow the engine to warm up properly and it will wear out the engine.

Am I suffering from engineer's paranoia here? Are short distance car runs as devastating as I always believed?

Yes, you should be concerned about wearing out the engine earlier than the 200,000 mile mark....!

All the millions of people that own cars, not all of them drive over ten miles on every trip.

You're definetly being paranoid.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I certainly expect more miles from a car than 200 000, this ain't fifties no more.

And millions of people are overweight or smoke, it does not make it right. Same for the average Joe or Joann using or abusing a car.

That's a cool link, Jeff, thank you.

One thing I don't understand: the county opened the school last year, it is a high school and next to it is an elementary school. They spent a considerable amount of money on football, baseball fields, landscaping and of course buildings, but they made absolutely no effort to make the school accessible but car or bus. This is a country area turning into suburbs and there are quite few subdivision in walking/biking distance from the school property. I mean what the heck? In my opinion walking or biking to school will do more for children physical shape than ball game once a week.

OK, taking off my snobbish European hat now, where is my baseball cap

 

[Ken_CT]

Prokop,
Congratulations on your wife's new job. I've been reading this thread since you posted it, and I have an entirely different slant on a potential problem that has nothing to do with the car. An AP position, I'm assuming it is assistant principle, can be a very high stress position, and if she is only driving a very short distance there may not be enough time to leave the job problems at the job. I knew a person who worked in a hospital, and lived across the street. He found that he had to take a walk around the hospital block rather than just walk across the street, in order to unwind before getting home. Riding a bike or even a scooter might be an alternative, at least on nice days. Everyone is different, so hopefully this isn't a concern.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Sorry for the confusion, Ken, AP in this case means Advanced Placement

And I agree with you, commute is important to more or less shake the job off - I am not saying I am always able to get work stuff off my mind, but light physical exercise definitely helps with it.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I totally agree with the walking. Driving everywhere is making Americans fat. I won't even take an escalator if I can help it.

I like Schmisms plug in prius idea above. Otherwise, how about a remote car starter? Car is warm or cool when she gets in, and engine is warmed up. Burns more gas, but cheap to install for you I'd guess.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

You could move farther away. That is what I will be doing if the urban sprawl gets so close to the point that I can see an apartment building or townhouse complex in the distance from my property. And from my back deck, the view is about 20 km.