So how long does it take the average car/truck to warm the oil up to operating temps? I have a 14 mile commute to work that is usually 45-55mph with few stops (Maybe 2 redlights the whole time). My 2.5L jeep is usually at operating temp after 2-3 miles of light driving. Is this trip long enough to bring my 4 quart sump up to operating temps to prevent fuel dilution and or condensation?
Engine oil warmup
- Thread starter wn1998
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No, your oil won't warm up in that short of trip, especially in that cold of weather. In my Cherokee with the 4.0 I can tell when the oil is warm because the idle oil pressure drops. That usually takes at least 20 miles, and at that point it has JUST warmed up, it hasn't be warm long enough to burn off anything.
JHZR2
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I read one time from a guy on another forum who had a corvette with an oil temp gauge, who said it typically takes 15 miles for oil to get up to temp.
JMH
JMH
I have an oil temp gauge in my 2000 TJ with the same 2.5L I4. I am running a remote filter mount and utilize a filter holding 1qt of oil so my sump capacity is 5.25 qts instead of the 4qts stock. It will usually take 15-20 mins of driving at those temps to get the oil to 180 degrees. I would think a 14 mile drive would be more than enough to get the oil to operating temp.
I have a 5 quart oil capacity in my Honda, and an oil temp. gauge. In the summer (70-80 degrees), it takes about 5-6 miles for my oil temp to reach 180 degrees. Lately temps have been in the 40s to 50s, and the oil takes closer to 10 miles to warm up.
Patman
Staff member
That sounds about right. It takes my Corvette about 15 miles in order for the oil temp to get to 190F. Highway driving gets it warmed up quicker than stop and go driving by the way.
Thats what I thought. This morning it was -3 degress when I pulled out of my driveway and my thermostat was at operating temps after 2.5 miles. I than proceded to drive 10 more miles at 50mph. I have to believe that the oil has to be at operating temps.
Even if the oil isn't *totally* warmed up, I think you're fine. Do you take it on at least one longer trip once a week or two?
I drive about 5 minutes every morning, park, then back at night. I try to make sure to take at least one good long trip like to Wal-Mart or whatever a week.
I drive about 5 minutes every morning, park, then back at night. I try to make sure to take at least one good long trip like to Wal-Mart or whatever a week.
In this weather 20s and 30s F it takes my 15 mile trip to work for oil pressure to stabilize. The other day when it was in the single digits, I don't think it ever got to the "normal" hot pressure. Summer it takes maybe 10 miles.
I've noticed with my oil temp gauge that when it's below freezing outside and I am travelling at sustained speeds of 55-60mph for over 20 mins my oil will get to 180 degrees operating temp and then slowly fall back to a tad over 165 degrees and stay there as long as I am moving at those speeds. The radiator on the 2.5L must be very efficient to cool the oil that much. It's the same radiator used with the 4.0L.
I've noticed something similar to this with smaller engines in vehicles with better aerodynamics. If it's a clear, crisp day and your driving down a uncongested highway around 55-60 mph, the oil temps sometimes stabilize around 150F even after 30 minutes. Most bigger engines usually will get close to operating temps after 15-30 minutes.
wn1998, I run Schaeffer 15w40 Blend in the summer. Winter is 4 qts 10w30 Blend @ 2 1/4 qts 15w40 Blend. I change the oil every 6 months or 7K miles. So far my used oil analysis have been excellent and the motor runs like a top...
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