I drive 10 miles (+/- 1/10th) to work each day. 6 miles is interstate. No stop and go, commute normally takes about 15 minutes. Is this too short/quick for a 2012 f250 with 6.7? I've heard the old wives tales about not getting a diesel to operating temp being harmful. What do y'all think?

Personally, I think it is too short for a diesel the size of a 6.7. You won't get that much iron, oil and water properly warmed up in six miles. You might if you were towing, but not empty. Might be OK if you give it a couple of good runs every week.

10 miles, not 6. You'll have to watch the temp gauge and see where that goes. I know that you should drive far enough to blow the condensation out of the exhaust pipe.

It's never going to be able to complete a DPF regen with such short rides. Eventually it'll turn on the check engine light, or display a message if a full regen cannot be completed...

By the time your coolant temperature reaches normal, your oil will still be luke warm. I take my truck out for at least a half hour run on the freeway before I drain the oil.

First of all, there is no vehicle with an internal combustion engine that is going to like 10 mile, 15 minute commutes. Both gas and diesel vehicles need to be gotten up to operating temperature, not only the engine, but the entire driveline and exhaust system (both of which take even longer to warm up), lest Bad Things™ happen. With such a short daily commute, you, my friend, are a prime candidate for a plug-in electric vehicle. Those are the only ones truly suited for such a daily drive without fear of trouble down the road.@sch911 is also right, diesels new enough to have a DPF are especially unsuitable because they require periodic uninterrupted 15 minute DPF burn-offs, and that 15 minutes requires the vehicle be fully at operating temperature before the burn-off starts, and usually traveling at least 55-60 mph during the entire event. I have heard that these occur automatically every 300-500 miles, so not an entirely infrequent thing.Unless you take it out at least one day a week and run it for 100 miles or so, you might want to stick to a gasser, if a plug-in electric is not in the picture.

Commute too short for diesel? | Good Sam Community

parkersdad
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
I drive my ram Cummins to work every day 6 miles each way stop and go. I have yet to have a problem.
naturist
Nomad
Jun 26, 2015
IdaD wrote:
I've read that all the newer diesels get up to temp much quicker than the old ones, I assume due to EGR.

I don't really expect issues in the long run but we'll see. I do plan on running full synthetic starting this fall.

I kinda doubt that the EGR helps at all with warmup time. I've 3 diesels, one of which has 3 extra glow plugs stuck in the cooling system to help warm things up, one has a viscous fluid pump attached to the block which churns idly to help warm up time. Not sure what the third one has, but I'm certain it has something non-EGR to speed the process.

All three of them, BTW, specify synthetic oil specifically for the benefit of the turbocharger bearings, which get especially hot. Evidently synthetic oil is more heat resistant.

And yes, we'll all find out eventually what kind of issues our driving style produces, whatever that style is. The OP sounded like he was fishing for pros and cons, and while one might indeed be able to drive for 5 years, one mile at a time, there will be consequences. There are ALWAYS consequences, whatever you do (or don't do).
IdaD
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
I don't know about the EGR, I just know my CTD heats up surprisingly fast. A lot of diesels run a lot of short trips and do it for years with no issues. The concern I had with this one was the emission stuff although from the sounds of it the newer CTD systems have performed pretty well since they finally added DEF a couple of years ago. Again, time will tell, but I'm not overly worried about it.
Ogeechee
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

naturist wrote:
The OP sounded like he was fishing for pros and cons,

Yes I'm just doing research before pulling the trigger on a new-to-me tow vehicle. I don't "need" a diesel but wasn't sure if I should rule them out.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
I have a 2012 Duramax with 45k mi that I use as my daily driver and only have a 2.5mi commute to work each day. Truck barely gets up to temp by the time I get there and if its cold out doesn't even reach temp. Regardless it has not resulted in any issues that I can point to the short commute. You WILL have to take the thing out and let it run during the regen process because 2.5mi drives just wont cut it. I have an Edge CTS monitor in my truck so I can see when its about to go into regen. Also worth noting mileage takes a big hit with short commutes and again goes back to the engine not getting up to temp. Diesels are pretty thirsty until they get up to normal operating temp.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2015
Gasser.....good all round commuter/grocery getter/some limited towing

Diesel......intended for WORK---hard wark

Longevity is best when used for task as designed.
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Gasser.....good all round commuter/grocery getter/some limited towing

Diesel......intended for WORK---hard wark

Longevity is best when used for task as designed.

really?......

so how much hard work does a this get put through?
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2015
AT 90HP/155 lb.ft and 2900#

It has to work hard......and that is why it is a reliable engine.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
Exactly.
DavinD
Explorer
Jun 27, 2015
15 mile commute for me, no issues.

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Commute too short for diesel?

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