Im not sure if this belongs in off topic but i was courious how many of you run half a qrt less during the winter months? Less oil faster oil temps rise. I know a guy at my old job who ran his oil at the add line all year round, he claims faster oil temp rise.
Running less oil (Winter months)
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How much faster exactly?
By running at the "add" line you are not leaving yourself any margin of safety. Most of us here do everything possible to increase the oil sump (for example by using oversized oil filters) to extend the oil life, not the opposite.
Does your oil really take a long time to heat up during winter? Maybe you should look into some kind of pre-start heater.
By running at the "add" line you are not leaving yourself any margin of safety. Most of us here do everything possible to increase the oil sump (for example by using oversized oil filters) to extend the oil life, not the opposite.
Does your oil really take a long time to heat up during winter? Maybe you should look into some kind of pre-start heater.
I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone. If the manufacturer says 5 quarts,thats what you should run period,whether it be summer or winter months.
Hypermilers run less oil as well because there's less drag on the crankshaft.
Seems like two solutions looking for a problem.
Seems like two solutions looking for a problem.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
How much faster exactly?
By running at the "add" line you are not leaving yourself any margin of safety. Most of us here do everything possible to increase the oil sump (for example by using oversized oil filters) to extend the oil life, not the opposite.
Does your oil really take a long time to heat up during winter? Maybe you should look into some kind of pre-start heater.
Not at all, just a crazy question.
How much faster exactly?
By running at the "add" line you are not leaving yourself any margin of safety. Most of us here do everything possible to increase the oil sump (for example by using oversized oil filters) to extend the oil life, not the opposite.
Does your oil really take a long time to heat up during winter? Maybe you should look into some kind of pre-start heater.
Not at all, just a crazy question.
I run my Aerostar with 5 qts of oil it calls for 4.5, been doing it for years w/o issue. I wouldn't run anything at the add line, as others have said no safety margin. The risk to reward ratio isn't worth it to me.
Frank D
Frank D
Originally Posted By: DragRace
I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone. If the manufacturer says 5 quarts,thats what you should run period,whether it be summer or winter months.
Ive never done it, i thought the guy at my old jod who did was crazy.
I wouldn't reccomend this to anyone. If the manufacturer says 5 quarts,thats what you should run period,whether it be summer or winter months.
Ive never done it, i thought the guy at my old jod who did was crazy.
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I run my Aerostar with 5 qts of oil it calls for 4.5, been doing it for years w/o issue. I wouldn't run anything at the add line, as others have said no safety margin. The risk to reward ratio isn't worth it to me.
Frank D
Same here, my Taco is something like 5.8 qrts, i add 6 qrts with an oversized filter.
I run my Aerostar with 5 qts of oil it calls for 4.5, been doing it for years w/o issue. I wouldn't run anything at the add line, as others have said no safety margin. The risk to reward ratio isn't worth it to me.
Frank D
Same here, my Taco is something like 5.8 qrts, i add 6 qrts with an oversized filter.
High glycol to water ratio in the cooling system would get the engine warmed up faster than running a quart low on oil.
On the other hand, an extra quart would hold more heat during frequent short trips.
I'm not sure how it would affect safety margin-- Most engines can run on about 2 quarts (often less) with no loss of oil pressure, so the safety margin is quite large; That is to accommodate the typical driver of which 99% of them pay no attention at all to oil level between changes.
I suppose this could be a good idea if you have a < 5 mi trip once or twice a day. One would just have to watch the oil level often.
I suppose this could be a good idea if you have a < 5 mi trip once or twice a day. One would just have to watch the oil level often.
I do, I have 1/2 quarts less in MB E430 which has 8.5 quarts capacity. When I had 8.5 quarts to full mark on dip stick, the computer warned that oil level too high. I siphoned 1/2 quarts out so that the oil level was about 1-2mm below full mark, the computer said oil level okay.
Your Tacoma has an oil to coolant exchanger that helps heat up the oil quicker already.
Some ideas should not be allowed to escape onto the internet. This is one of them.
I read it on BITOG.
I read it on BITOG.
If youre REALLY concerned about faster oil temp rise/circulation, run a magnetic oil pan heater, and keep it topped up!
If my oil drops below the full mark, I need to breath into a paper bag for a while to stop the hyperventilation!
If my oil drops below the full mark, I need to breath into a paper bag for a while to stop the hyperventilation!
Why not just buy and install a block heater?
Half a quart less than full mark of 5 quarts capacity is within tolerance for most engines. I am willing to bet that no less than 50% of all cars on the road right now are running with at least 1/2 quarts below full mark.
Most car manufactures recommend adding oil only when the level drops to add mark, which is usually too low by 1 quart or more. The low oil warning usually does not light up until the oil level is more than 2 quarts low.
Some members on here said that they added 1 quart at X miles, this means they drove their cars with more than 1/2 quarts low for some times, and the engines did not blow up.
Most car manufactures recommend adding oil only when the level drops to add mark, which is usually too low by 1 quart or more. The low oil warning usually does not light up until the oil level is more than 2 quarts low.
Some members on here said that they added 1 quart at X miles, this means they drove their cars with more than 1/2 quarts low for some times, and the engines did not blow up.
I use NO oil so it really heats up fast!
I'd bet the oil heats up faster then the block. maybe he should remove some cast iron? what about running the radiator 1/2 full? less water would heat up faster.
First, I would be worried about having enough oil where it needs to be during cold startups. I'd also run a thinner oil if I lived in an extremely cold climate to get oil on the bearings as fast as possible to keep my bearings alive. The temp of the oil will probably rise quickly due to pressures and friction. If you have to worry about the oil not being warm enough, get a heater.
On my daily driver, I run the oil level about the full mark or a little less. I never over fill the engine. I have seen studies where the extra oil ran for long periods of time created more heat than running less oil. I am more worried about the long hall where oil has a better chance of breaking down.
On my daily driver, I run the oil level about the full mark or a little less. I never over fill the engine. I have seen studies where the extra oil ran for long periods of time created more heat than running less oil. I am more worried about the long hall where oil has a better chance of breaking down.
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