Changing your oil when it's hot - good/bad/who cares?

[Tricknologist]

I have a habit of pulling into the garage with my motor at operating temp and changing the oil. I'm careful not to burn myself but I figure it's the best way to get the most out that I can.

Is there any downside to this?

 

[pbm]

I also believe that more 'impurities' drain out when the oil is hot. The only downside IMO is the possibility of burning oneself.

 

[ATex7239]

Cold drain here. It has never done me wrong. Been doing it since the beginning when my dad taught me. I have zero desire to be under a hot engine messing with hot oil. I do not and will not over burden myself for the sake of a machine unless I’m getting paid to do so.

 

[Plumb Bob]

Pop the hood open and wait an hour or so.

If I have to do it cold, so be it.

 

[4wd]

Put ramps in place
Start engine
End of high idle
Up on ramps
Change oil

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Cold drain here. It has never done me wrong. Been doing it since the beginning when my dad taught me. I have zero desire to be under a hot engine messing with hot oil. I do not and will not over burden myself for the sake of a machine unless I’m getting paid to do so.

Agree. But I also don't think there's any benefit to changing hot other than it drains faster. How or why "more impurities" would drain out hot is a mystery to me.

 

[4wd]

Agree. But I also don't think there's any benefit to changing hot other than it drains faster. How or why "more impurities" would drain out hot is a mystery to me.

Yeah, running it a few minutes is going to agitate plenty

 

[charbaby]

I've done a few "cold drains" in my life and I don't get out as much oil as when hot. In my experience, it is a significant difference.

 

[BobsArmory]

I always do it hot. I like the oil and impurities well mixed and the oil to flow quick. Don't know if it makes any difference at all. I wear dish washing gloves when I remove the plug and filter. Keeps my hands clean and works pretty well as an insulator from hot stuff.

 

[4wd]

I've done a few "cold drains" in my life and I don't get out as much oil as when hot. In my experience, it is a significant difference.

 

[ATex7239]

Agree. But I also don't think there's any benefit to changing hot other than it drains faster. How or why "more impurities" would drain out hot is a mystery to me.

1) there is still 1qt or more of old oil left in the engine so how much of a difference does hot vs cold make comparatively - don’t know; don’t care
2) faster is meaningless to me - not getting paid flat rate for this so there is no time crunch here.

 

[PontiacHO]

If there’s “impurities “ in your motor oil that need to be “suspended “ and heat then you’ve waited way too long to change your oil in my opinion.

 

[4wd]

The extremists can consider this:

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I have always done every oil and transmission drain hot or at least very warm.

 

[4wd]

Cold drain here. It has never done me wrong. Been doing it since the beginning when my dad taught me. I have zero desire to be under a hot engine messing with hot oil. I do not and will not over burden myself for the sake of a machine unless I’m getting paid to do so.

Never put your fingers where …

 

[tblt44]

Hot cold don't think it matters

 

[4wd]

Hot cold don't think it matters

Perfect bcs I’m doing it warm !

 

[The_Jeff]

The 0w16 and 0w20 from my Prii comes out so fast when hot it splatters everywhere. I like the control of being cold to lukewarm. It still all seems to drain. Am confident there's no "sludge" I'd want to get before it "settles."

 

[demarpaint]

I change the oil warm, no point in burning myself. As long as the contaminants are in suspension and the oil is warm I figure I'm GTG. I tend to leave the drain plug out for at least 30-60 minutes. I'm not getting paid for how many oil changes I can bang out in a day, and I do other chores, or clean the interior of the car or windows if needed. No problems to report.

 

[tblt44]

Perfect bcs I’m doing it warm !

Warm better then hot for your hands