Easy on oil?

[slipperysam]

I keep hearing posters here refer to engines as being easy on oil or hard on oil. While I understand this to mean the oil will be expected to last longer than usual or not, exactly what criteria are these posters basing this knowledge on? what determines whether an engine is easy or hard on oil ? Is my 07 Corolla easy on oil and why or why not?

SS

 

[sciphi]

Basically it's how well or poorly the engine does on oil analyses. An engine that's easy on oil might safely do 10-11k miles on an oil change, while an engine that's hard on oil might only be good for 4000-4500 miles on the same oil.

 

[Indydriver]

For example...

Easy on oil typically means a lower revving, normally aspirated engine like in your Corolla or my Sienna. These cars are good candidates for extended OCIs. My 2012 Sienna comes from the factory with a 10,000 mile OC spec on 0W-20 oil. If you watch the tach during routine operation, it rarely needs to be revved above 3,000 rpm.

Hard on oil tends to be the newer DI motors; anything with a turbo, high HP/liter applications and variable cylinder management, ala Honda VCM. These cars have some characteristic that causes oil to break down earlier than others. For example, my DI, turbo 116.5h/L Mazda generates high fuel dilution especially when driven on frequent short tips. It is not a candidate for extended OCI.

 

[oilboy123]

How big is the sump, how big is the cubic inches, how much HP per cubic inch. Is the engine turbo or naturally aspirated. And this does not even take into account the variables of how the vehicle is driven and or tow. Some 5.7 liter engines have the same sump size as 2.0 four cylinder engines. Some engines have oil coolers.

Tons of factors......

 

[simple_gifts]

Hard on oil=Shearing, Rapid TBN depletion.

 

[pbm]

Sometimes having a timing CHAIN rather than a BELT can make an engine harder on it's oil.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Your 1ZZFE is semi hard on oil since it has a timing chain. The chain does need and effect how long of an OCI you can do.

But more important is HOW your engine is operated and in what conditions.

Short tripper and cold temps (below ZERO (not freezing which is not that cold at all)) call for more often oil changes.

Warm temps or long operation (at LEAST 30 minutes most times it is started) allow longer OCIs.

How you CHANGE your oil is more important on what TYPE of oil you choose.

My 2005 Corolla has the same engine as yours. Coming up to 265,000 miles and still runs like new. Never a single problem with it from -30 below to 110+ degrees.

Take care, Bill

 

[cmorr]

Originally Posted By: pbm
Sometimes having a timing CHAIN rather than a BELT can make an engine harder on it's oil.


Am curious if anyone can supply evidence of this. As it was stated "sometimes" I'm curious as to what factors determine this and which engines are associated with this. Not trying to be confrontational but I find it difficult to believe that a chain would have more dramatic impact on an oil breaking down. Heat, RPM, fuel dilution is understandable

 

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: cmorr
Originally Posted By: pbm
Sometimes having a timing CHAIN rather than a BELT can make an engine harder on it's oil.


Am curious if anyone can supply evidence of this. As it was stated "sometimes" I'm curious as to what factors determine this and which engines are associated with this. Not trying to be confrontational but I find it difficult to believe that a chain would have more dramatic impact on an oil breaking down. Heat, RPM, fuel dilution is understandable


I'm interested too. I have a K20 and I have heard that it's relatively easy on oil, but it has a chain though.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: wing0
Originally Posted By: cmorr
Originally Posted By: pbm
Sometimes having a timing CHAIN rather than a BELT can make an engine harder on it's oil.


Am curious if anyone can supply evidence of this. As it was stated "sometimes" I'm curious as to what factors determine this and which engines are associated with this. Not trying to be confrontational but I find it difficult to believe that a chain would have more dramatic impact on an oil breaking down. Heat, RPM, fuel dilution is understandable


I'm interested too. I have a K20 and I have heard that it's relatively easy on oil, but it has a chain though.



I have no proof but I have read it (in various places) over the years....I think it has someting to do with the chain breaking down the VII's etc...I'm sure if you 'google' it something will pop up...

 

[teddyboy]

I would consider the 5SFE engine in my 97 Camry to be hard on oil by virtue of its sludge prone reputation. As a result, it's Mobil 1 High Mileage every 5k for the 97, whereas the 07 Camry and 08 Volvo get longer OCIs on M1.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: Indydriver
For example...

Easy on oil typically means a lower revving, normally aspirated engine like in your Corolla or my Sienna. These cars are good candidates for extended OCIs. My 2012 Sienna comes from the factory with a 10,000 mile OC spec on 0W-20 oil. If you watch the tach during routine operation, it rarely needs to be revved above 3,000 rpm.

Hard on oil tends to be the newer DI motors; anything with a turbo, high HP/liter applications and variable cylinder management, ala Honda VCM. These cars have some characteristic that causes oil to break down earlier than others. For example, my DI, turbo 116.5h/L Mazda generates high fuel dilution especially when driven on frequent short tips. It is not a candidate for extended OCI.


This is pretty good general guidelines.