What does the "freezer test" really tell us?

[Yuk]

After reading several cold flow/freezer tests I've begun to question whether they actually give us any meaningful information. So, I've filled four identical bottles with Havoline 5w30, Castrol HM 5w30, Valvoline All-Climate 10w30 and G.C. 0w-30, and placed all four of them out on my doorstep. According to Environment Canada the ambient temperature right now is -16 C. When I invert the bottles the bubble in each bottle rises at approximately the same rate, indicating to me that all the oils are flowing at approximately the same rate.

Here's my question. Is this flow test relevant when compared to the narrow passages and galleries found in an engine? After all, there are no passages in an engine as wide as the 500ml test bottles I'm using.

 

[NJC]

For me, it was done more out of curiosity. I think I put in a bottle of GTX 10W30 in the freezer for a few days. When I went to pour it I thought I wouldn't want THAT thick of a viscosity trying to get into my bearings.

Since I am an oil neophyte it probably would have been fine - since a 10W30 is rated to even colder than freezer temps (IIRC).

 

[Pablo]

Pretty much tells anyone else visiting my freezer that they shouldn't eat at my house.

 

[Steve S]

The concern is how long will it take for the oil to travel from the sump to the oil pump.

 

[MarkC]

"Pretty much tells anyone else visiting my freezer that they shouldn't eat at my house."

Would that be more likely from seeing oil in the freezer, or the frozen corpses of various formerly living creatures which are not usually thought of as food?

 

[nobadges]

It doesn't mean much until you are down near the pour point.
-16c to most oils is a balmy summer day.

Get down to what Edmonton and Ottawa will have next month, -30c, and try it again.

Speaking of pour points, check this out:

Mobil 1 "extended performance":
5w30 has a pour point of -45c
10w-30 has a pour point of -54c
Whats going on there??

Mobil 1 "regular"
5w30 has a pour point of -54c
10w-30 has a pour point of -45c
Now that makes sense.

But now more confusion:
Mobil 1 "regular"
0w-30 has a pour point of -54c....same as the 5w.

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

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Pretty much tells anyone else visiting my freezer that they shouldn't eat at my house.

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[Warstud]

I think it tells us exactly what your experiment is showing you except it's not in your oil pan. Maybe try the freezer test on some oil that has 3,000 miles on it and compare it to a new bottle at the the same temp. and at room temperature to see what difference it makes.

 

[Bill in Utah]

quote:

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Maybe try the freezer test on some oil that has 3,000 miles on it and compare it to a new bottle at the the same temp

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I tried this with new Pennzoil and 4k Pennzoil, Mobil 1 and 4k old Mobil 1 and could not see any difference...

In fact, maybe because there was more color the used oils so I could see it more easier but there was none.

My Freezer is set at 5 below BTW.

Take care, Bill

 

[Raven18940]

This does give me faith that I don't have to worry at all about putting 10W40 in my car if I can't score my usually M1 5W40.

 

[Yuk]

I've now added a bottle of Esso XD-3 0w30 to the flow test and checked last night when it was -20 C.

Fastest group contained:
Havoline, GC and XD-3

Slower group, but not off by much:
Castrol HM 5w30, Valvoline All-Climate 10w30

Perhaps at -25 C I'll start seeing real differences.

 

[ShortBuSX]

The freezer test I get...but whats with the "lawn mower test" that I read several people/posts refer to? Is it intended to be humorous? Or do I need to go out and purchase a mower?

 

[Mitch Alsup]

Think about what happens when the oil can get sucked up by the oil pump, get pushed through the engine, only to fail to flow back down into the oil pan.

 

[Dr. T]

Exactly! All oils are like gravy at subzero temps. only. They flow like molasses thru tiny oil passages until the engine is warmed up. That's why you should drive moderately until that happens. Otherwise, the pour point is just a guide as to when the oil becomes thick as honey. Above, this they'll all be similar (within seconds) of reaching the parts....