Yesterday I got a Bluetooth OBD dongle along with the ‘Car Scanner ELM 327’ app for iOS. Silly name, but GREAT app. I can see oil, coolant, trans temps. Plus a ton of other live info. What really surprised me is just how hot this van runs. Hot=efficient, so I get it.
For coolant, it settles around 210-215f with normal driving. There is a second reading that is always 10f cooler, regardless of what the first temp reads. Not sure which one to trust, but it’s still pretty warm. The reservoir cap is high pressure on this van, like 1.6 bar or something. What I find funny is that the dummy gauge on the dash hits the normal middle position just after 140f.
Trans temp slowly climbs up to about 210, and goes down a bit if coasting downhill. That’s normal from what I’ve seen in other vehicles. I find that this van actually gets the trans up to temp faster than I’ve measured in other vehicles.
The oil was the most surprising. After about 20 mins of driving in 74 degree weather, the oil settled in around 225f. Prolonged coasting or idling brought it down to maybe 219/220. This was with just my son and I in the van and a couple bags. Easy driving with mildly hilly roads. The factory service manual states that an oil pan temp of 226-234f is normal. That’s hot!!! I can see the oil getting hotter with a loaded vehicle, steep hills, AC ON etc.
That 0w20 oil is well into 16 grade territory at those temps. Nonetheless, I’m glad I have this info. I’ll monitor the temps further on some longer drives and road trips just for my curiosity.
For coolant, it settles around 210-215f with normal driving. There is a second reading that is always 10f cooler, regardless of what the first temp reads. Not sure which one to trust, but it’s still pretty warm. The reservoir cap is high pressure on this van, like 1.6 bar or something. What I find funny is that the dummy gauge on the dash hits the normal middle position just after 140f.
Trans temp slowly climbs up to about 210, and goes down a bit if coasting downhill. That’s normal from what I’ve seen in other vehicles. I find that this van actually gets the trans up to temp faster than I’ve measured in other vehicles.
The oil was the most surprising. After about 20 mins of driving in 74 degree weather, the oil settled in around 225f. Prolonged coasting or idling brought it down to maybe 219/220. This was with just my son and I in the van and a couple bags. Easy driving with mildly hilly roads. The factory service manual states that an oil pan temp of 226-234f is normal. That’s hot!!! I can see the oil getting hotter with a loaded vehicle, steep hills, AC ON etc.
That 0w20 oil is well into 16 grade territory at those temps. Nonetheless, I’m glad I have this info. I’ll monitor the temps further on some longer drives and road trips just for my curiosity.
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