Phoenix, AZ - 115F Temps - Honda CRV 1.5 Turbo Engine

[Jimmy_Russells]

Really? my "old Dodge Truck" running on gas and lubed with oil is somehow radically different from a newer car with a turbo yet? New car oil doesn't get hot, stays magically cool under all conditions? I think not.

Did it have modern coolants? Air to water heat exchangers for the engine and trans oil? Was it turbocharged, and was the turbocharger water cooled? If so, did it have an auxiliary electric pump to continue to cool the turbo after shutdown? Did it have electronically controlled thermostats? Did it even have fuel injection, let alone direct injection? Did it dual speed electric fans? The OP's vehicle has all those things and more.

All I am saying is the oil temperatures are much better controlled (in both directions) than in the past.

 

[I<3oil]

Will run the 5w-30 Valvoline synthetic and a Wix filter.

I know it's another topic all together but are the head gaskets an issue with the 1.5 turbo engine in the CRV?
I read running HIGHER OCTANE fuel (91) will help with potential head gasket issues.

On the forums, there have been some HG issues but nothing widespread like the fuel pump or fuel injectors

 

[srfdude]

So I see you live in Vancouver. Have you ever lived in PHoenix? Drove in Phoenix? Drove in a "spirited" fashion in Phoenix? All the added cooling accessories will definitely help, but oil gets hot, and hotter in hot weather.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

So I see you live in Vancouver. Have you ever lived in PHoenix? Drove in Phoenix? Drove in a "spirited" fashion in Phoenix? All the added cooling accessories will definitely help, but oil gets hot, and hotter in hot weather.

Never have lived no, been to yes. Although the hottest place in Canada (Lytton BC) routinely 110°F+ is only a couple hours away and I drive through there several times a year. Also have a bunch of relatives in Sacramento and spent a lot of time there. I've never noticed a real world difference assuming the systems in the vehicle are working correctly.

 

[KEVINK0000]

Lots of vehicles have trouble keeping thermostat temp in Phoenix. It’s not wild heat soak like in some cars (RX8). All my cars can be above thermostat temp by 25 degrees routinely depending on the situation. Still normal, but high normal. Oil temp varies accordingly then, especially with load/rpm.

 

[Samurai1225]

I know it's another topic all together but are the head gaskets an issue with the 1.5 turbo engine in the CRV?

I'm a bit of a Honda fanboi and follow a Honda tech on the tube. He seems to knowledgeable and standup guy... Anyway according to what they see at his dealership the blown head gasket issues on the 1.5t engines is by far most prevalent on the Accords with that drivetrain.

 

[KEVINK0000]

For the record I meant to say exact thermostat temperature. Can’t edit post now.

 

[wpod]

0w-20 could withstand temperatures of 400+

I could but what would be the viscosity?

 

[kschachn]

I could but what would be the viscosity?

Exactly my question earlier. Oxidation resistance is one thing but HT/HS is quite another.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I could but what would be the viscosity?

Reach out to Mobil see what they have to say

 

[kschachn]

Reach out to Mobil see what they have to say

Really.

 

[2005jettatdi]

Someone mentioned testing cars in Las Vegas. Temps in Las Vegas are lower than Phoenix, but not by much. Bullhead City is even hotter. I am told the place they test cars is going up Hwy 68 out of Laughlin/Bullhead City, past Finger Rock, toward Golden Valley and Kingman. It is 12 miles of 6% and better grade. I like to count the burned pavement areas on the shoulder as I go. I think my latest count was 22. Some Good Samaritans usually leave jugs of water at regular intervals along the shoulder. Then some government Karen comes along and "cleans" them up.

 

[edyvw]

Someone mentioned testing cars in Las Vegas. Temps in Las Vegas are lower than Phoenix, but not by much. Bullhead City is even hotter. I am told the place they test cars is going up Hwy 68 out of Laughlin/Bullhead City, past Finger Rock, toward Golden Valley and Kingman. It is 12 miles of 6% and better grade. I like to count the burned pavement areas on the shoulder as I go. I think my latest count was 22. Some Good Samaritans usually leave jugs of water at regular intervals along the shoulder. Then some government Karen comes along and "cleans" them up.

The cooling testing is done at higher altitude.
Altitude is far worse than ambient temperature because:
1. Air density.
2. Lower pressure (weak spot in the system will fail easier).

80 degrees over Vail Pass in CO is worse than 115f in Phoenix.
That is why you have slew of manufacturers testing vehicles here all the time.

Vegas is bit cooler than Phoenix, but it is also 1000ft higher. So, I would say both are same.

 

[Revving2Redline]

Phoenix 115 Fahrenheit plus thin oil, small oil capacity, fuel dilution is asking for trouble. Add a boosted engine especially a T-GDi and its not good.

If its a small sub 4.5 qts, in town stop and go, short trip fuel dilution i think 5w30 or better is a thing to look at.

 

[edyvw]

Phoenix 115 Fahrenheit plus thin oil, small oil capacity, fuel dilution is asking for trouble. Add a boosted engine especially a T-GDi and its not good.

If its a small sub 4.5 qts, in town stop and go, short trip fuel dilution i think 5w30 or better is a thing to look at.

If oil temperature is 230f in Phoenix and 230f in Minneapolis, what would be a difference then?

 

[MolaKule]

I know Honda recommends OW-20 for the 1.5 Turbo engines in the Honda CRVs. Being located in Phoenix, AZ, where outside temps hit 115F and pavement temps exceed 140F+. Would it be okay to run a 5W-30 synthetic oil like Pennzoil Platinum or Valvoline? The OW-20 seems to thin for this type of climate.

It seems everyone is forgetting that a 5W20 is still a 20 grade, as is HPL's 10W20.