Approximately what is the oil capacity of current F1 cars?
- Thread starter Shel_B
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A little over 3 quarts of 0W-5. (KV100 = ~2.8 cSt)
That first link is false. The FIA requires a minimum of 2.8 cSt @ 100°C, minimum HTHS of 1.4 cP, and a couple other parameters. They run the jagged edge of that for both power and fuel economy.
I doubt that author actually knows much about oil. On more than one occasion, they claim something with a link to FIA rules to support the claim, and the link says different from what they stated. There's also the statement that 3.7 cP is higher than the "normal" 3.5 cP for racing oils. NASCAR engines run hotter oil temps than Formula 1 and use a 0W-16 equivalent and HTHS of ~2.5 cP. If you went back 20 years ago, some 15W-50 and 20W-60 oils were common in F1. They've long moved away from the thick side.
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Found a copy of a 2020 rulebook mentioning the aux tank, didn't see a "main" or whatever is in the pump.
Aux Oil Tank (AOT)
Only one AOT may be fitted to the car
The total volume of the AOT and its connections to the engine must not be greater than 2.5L
Another article from around 2014 mentions: "The engine oil capacity is about 3 litre or so. This is because of the dry sump system." https://www.formula1-dictionary.net/engine.html
Aux Oil Tank (AOT)
Only one AOT may be fitted to the car
The total volume of the AOT and its connections to the engine must not be greater than 2.5L
Another article from around 2014 mentions: "The engine oil capacity is about 3 litre or so. This is because of the dry sump system." https://www.formula1-dictionary.net/engine.html
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That's not much oil for as hard as they pound on those cars.
They probably rehone or rebuild after every race
Do you have any links that support they're running water?
It ain’t much, but it’s honest work…
Please enlighten us with the op’s question or dispute anything that any of the commenters have provided in rebuttal…
What are you talking about?
From What I can gather, they are not rebuilt after each race. They are only allowed 3 engines per season. And that includes practice sessions, races, as well as qualifying. If they exceed that, they are forced to take big grid penalties.
"F1 engines are not rebuilt, but instead are replaced. Drivers are allowed to use three engines a year (and other engine components) under current regulations."
https://f1chronicle.com/how-long-do...ocket=1#How-many-engines-are-F1-teams-allowed
The oil capacity is likely limited because of something that happened years ago, where the oil was used as fuel or fuel additive. That's not an option if you carry 3l or less of oil.
You would think they could allow a much larger capacity. Then just measure it after the race, minus whatever is allowed for normal race consumption.
but they don't need more capacity? 10 years ago normal consumption was 5l per race... now 0.5l
They don't? It couldn't possibly hurt. More capacity means less contamination, and the ability to use larger coolers, etc. Why push things to always run on the ragged edge of barely what's necessary? Which isn't even half the normal capacity of a lot of street cars.
they run 3 engines per season, no rebuilding in between. So I'd say they don't need it. but if you give them more than they need, you open the door called "unfair advantage" It's like that in every sport.
There is no "unfair advantage" if it's the same for everyone.
Less contamination? More capacity and larger coolers mean more weight, and more weight means diminished performance. So, yes, it could hurt. These are race cars, and they want performance, not long-term reliability (past the number of races the engine is designed for). I once heard Mario Andretti say that if his engine died as he crossed the finish line he was probably getting the maximum from it during the race (I'm paraphrasing). This was back in the days of the Chaparral.
They aren't allowed to touch the engines at all without receiving a penalty. In fact, they're probably assembled in clean rooms so they aren't going to open them up outside of their factories. Well, as you said, they can replace them entirely as long as they don't exceed the allowable # per season. Same with their gearboxes and the major hybrid/electrical components (MGUs).
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