Mitchellville is small and sits right on the interstate corridor, so a lot of the driving here is either very local or straight out onto the highway. That split is unusual and it means a vehicle can accumulate highway mileage without ever getting the sustained warm-up that town driving denies it in the winter. Current hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Sat 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, closed Sun.
That split is unusual and it means a vehicle can accumulate highway mileage without ever getting the sustained warm-up that town driving denies it in the winter.
How the roads run around Mitchellville
I-80 runs alongside and the interchange is the main connection in and out. The county roads around town are two-lane and quiet.
In winter the interstate is treated first and the local roads much later, which is worth knowing when planning an early start.
Is it bad to drive hard on a cold engine?
Yes. Oil is thick when cold and takes time to reach everything, so the first few minutes are where most engine wear happens. Drive gently until the temperature gauge moves rather than idling for ages.
How long should I let the car warm up in winter?
Long enough for the oil pressure to establish, which is under a minute on a modern engine. Driving gently warms it faster than idling does, and idling wastes fuel and fouls the exhaust.