lowest operating oil temp?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,147
Likes: 32
From: Dallas TX
lowest operating oil temp?
OK so I'm not used to all this cold weather we're getting down south right now.
Whats the basic protocol on warming up the car? I get in a wait til collant temp gets to at least 100 and usually 120+ before getting on my way.
Of course the oil temp doesnt start increasing until you actually drive the car a little, but is ~35 degrees fahrenheit or so okay?
total newb question i know but just curious
Whats the basic protocol on warming up the car? I get in a wait til collant temp gets to at least 100 and usually 120+ before getting on my way.
Of course the oil temp doesnt start increasing until you actually drive the car a little, but is ~35 degrees fahrenheit or so okay?
total newb question i know but just curious
Last edited by kumar75150; Dec 16, 2008 at 11:09 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 2
From: The Villages FL
Your engine and the rest of your powertrain will warm up quicker on a cold morning under light load rather than letting the engine idle. Once you see your temp gage starts to move, drive like you normally do. This is how I did it during the New England winters many years ago.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
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From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Do not accelerate hard or exceed 3000RPMs until the oil has reached 150F. The coolant will have reached its normal operating temperature by then.
No need to let the car sit idling for a long time; that does nothing to warm the rest of the drivetrain, wastes gas, and can foul your spark plugs and cause more carbon deposits to accumulate in the combustion chamber.
No need to let the car sit idling for a long time; that does nothing to warm the rest of the drivetrain, wastes gas, and can foul your spark plugs and cause more carbon deposits to accumulate in the combustion chamber.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,147
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From: Dallas TX
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: White Plains NY
I usually take it easy till the coolant temp is at 160. the reason I say this is the tyres are still cold. if you haven't pushed a set of run-flats into a corner before they are up to temp believe me its a white knuckle experience. like watching a dog on a waxed kitchen floor.
Mike
Mike
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Like Powerlabs says, under 3K, light load until you see at least 150*F oil temp. I wait till 160*, but probably no difference.
Mobil 1 is good stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I wait untill 160F too. And I have driven away with the oil at 20F and on other cars I have driven when the oil is at 0F. When I know that will happen, I fill it up with Mobil 0W 40. No issues ever.
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Actually, any oil temp over 120 is acceptable, and any crankcase condensation will evaporate whenever the inside of the engine exceeds the outside ambient temp. It simply eveporates faster the higher the inside temp.
Team Owner
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I like to see my oil temp make 200 like it's supposed to!
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Team Owner
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From: Springfield MO
I have a 09 Z06, and with the oil cooler and ambient temps below 50*F it's hard to get the oil temp above 150*F, even after an hour of driving. 200*F is impossible in a Z06 unless it's summer and you're driving it pretty hard.
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You could fashion a cover for the oil cooler for winter use. I'm thinking a naugahide lace up type of thing.
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From: King George VA
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2003
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From: Dallas Texas
Kumar, My oil temp today was 136 after 30 minutes of driving. Coolant temp comes up to temp quick, but oil temp lags.
I try to get oil temp over 100, but in this weather, that becomes difficult to do quickly.
You might have to put some tape on the oil cooler
The Z51/C6 guys have it easy, the coolant will warm the oil
I try to get oil temp over 100, but in this weather, that becomes difficult to do quickly.
You might have to put some tape on the oil cooler
The Z51/C6 guys have it easy, the coolant will warm the oil
Team Owner
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From: salem OR
posts Unless you removed your t-stat! Because your oil temp is least 20 degrees higher than the coolant. On any Vettes I've been in show the
coolant at say 194 down the highway with the oil at 214. Your coolant
is temp going to be less than the oil!
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2003
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From: Dallas Texas
Not on the new Zs atleast. My oil temp is NEVER higher than the water temp. Usually its 30-50* less, which I find odd.... The extra tank and better oil system might be the cause of that.
Now, my 08 LS3, yes, it was the other way around.
Now, my 08 LS3, yes, it was the other way around.