A change of apartments is on the way and from the new one, I will be some 2 km only away from work. I was wondering whether this very very short commute can have any negative effects as the car will never have time to reach operating temps (even water, let alone the oil). Should I maybe increase the frequency of my favorite "push the h#ll out of it" mountain climb (which I do almost once a month) to a weekly basis? Should I buy a bike?

Edited 26 September, 201213 yr by newbie69

For two km's I wouldnt take the car

Cycle. I cycle everyday 6 days a week after 12 hour night shifts 10 miles a day 2 x 5 mile trips. Keeps you fit and saves you money. Some companies do the cycle to work scheme so you can buy a nice bike at a reduced price. Im well into it and cycle on rest days 20 to 30 miles. It certainly is addictive http://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cycle%2Bto%2Bwork%2Bscheme&utm_campaign=Bike%2B2%2BWork%2BScheme.

I was cycling a lot when I was younger, but with the snowy and freezing winters here I don't know for how long I could cycle after October...

But staying on the car's health issue (!), do daily short trips like this have any effects that should be looked out? Does the occasional booting become more necessary or I am just thinking of the car as If it was a human?

Take a longer route to work, preferably with some nice twisty b-roads. That'll justify keeping the bike in the shed whilst giving your car the chance to get all warmed up on the way to work.

That sounds like a plan, but I am still waiting to hear what could be the actual negatives of such short commuting.... Anyone?

I guess you could suffer a shorter life on the exhaust components - if it doesnt get up to full operating temperature you may end up with condensation in the back box etc and have it rusting through in a shorter than expected time?! The main thing is, it isnt a diesel so therefore doesnt have a DPF to worry about.

Edited 26 September, 201213 yr by FocusZtec

I guess you could suffer a shorter life on the exhaust components - if it doesnt get up to full operating temperature you may end up with condensation in the back box etc and have it rusting through in a shorter than expected time?! The main thing is, it isnt a diesel so therefore doesnt have a DPF to worry about.

Might have to disagree with you about the exhaust rusting, my wife commutes to work about 3 miles every day and we have had the original exhaust since the car was new coming up for 8 years now.