Increased Oil Burning in Colder Temps??

[superchargedx]

Hey everyone,

Just a question, Both of my vehicles (2002 Mazda Protege5 w/270,000km & 2006 Ford Escape 3.0L 4x4 w/90,000km) never burn a drop of oil in the warmer temps..... but i have noticed very small increase during these colder winter months (both vehicles i noted being down about 1/2 litre after 2500km)??

Both vehicles use PP.... 5w30 in the Protege5 & 5w20 in the Escape..

I know that this is very minimal amount to burn but was just curious if the increase was due to the colder weather and why?

Thanks in advance for any insight,

Sean

 

[LeakySeals]

I'm the opposite. Consume more in the summer, hardly any in the winter. Assume thats because the oil is thicker longer in the cold temps.

 

[toneydoc]

My vehicles do not burn much at all any time of the year

 

[mechtech2]

Hot oil expands. Some reading error due to temperature?

 

[gregoron]

Not scientifically proven, but I think that more oil is consumed at start up because most of the valves and rings are contracted at colder temps than warm. Oil seaps past them more when cold. If you have a diagnostic tool you may want to check if you have any EGR or emissions issues.

 

[Brule]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Hot oil expands. Some reading error due to temperature?


My guess, too. Oil appears lower because it contracted due to cold. Just a guess, though.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Brule
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Hot oil expands. Some reading error due to temperature?

My guess, too. Oil appears lower because it contracted due to cold. Just a guess, though.

+2
At best it's a measurement discrepancy compounded by the fact that both the OPs vehicles do consume oil in the summer months, he just hasn't been able to measure it properly.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Usually I see more oil consumed in hot weather, perhaps due to thinning and getting past the rings or valve seals, or maybe even due to evaporative loss (volatility)? I know it makes some difference in volume when oil is hot vs cold, it's not huge though. Just measure levels under same conditions each time for consistency.

 

[Garak]

I've seen some vehicles appear to consume more oil in the winter than in the summer, and sometimes the reverse. Some were the same no matter what. There are probably several reasons. In days gone by, oil grades were different in summer and winter. There's one reason. Expansion and contraction aren't terribly significant, but they are there. Driving styles are often quite different in the summer and winter. Some vehicles may get pushed harder in the summer. Some may idle way, way more in the winter, and if it happens to be a vehicle that consumes more at idle, there's another reason.