What is considered as 'Optimal' engine oil temperature... ?

[Free Ride]

What is considered as 'Optimal' engine oil temperature... ?

We have several different petrol cars ( VW/Audi/Skoda ) in the family
where the current oil temperature can be read via the on-board computer.

I see that there is quite a large temperature difference between the cars oil temperature
when they are driven on the same road and the same distance under the same conditions.

Is there an optimum oil temperature range for a fully synthetic engine oil
when it works best and the properties of the oil work/perform at their best ?

 

[RDY4WAR]

215-230°F. Hot enough to ensure evaporation of moisture and promote additive reactivity while still cool enough to provide sufficient MOFT and good service life.

 

[glen e]

my 24 Vette runs at 180-190…..

 

[OilUzer]

What is considered as 'Optimal' engine oil temperature... ?

We have several different petrol cars ( VW/Audi/Skoda ) in the family
where the current oil temperature can be read via the on-board computer.

I see that there is quite a large temperature difference between the cars oil temperature
when they are driven on the same road and the same distance under the same conditions.

Is there an optimum oil temperature range for a fully synthetic engine oil
when it works best and the properties of the oil work/perform at their best ?

Can you provide the oil temperatures and the car / engine sizes, etc.

 

[bullwinkle]

What is considered as 'Optimal' engine oil temperature... ?

We have several different petrol cars ( VW/Audi/Skoda ) in the family
where the current oil temperature can be read via the on-board computer.

I see that there is quite a large temperature difference between the cars oil temperature
when they are driven on the same road and the same distance under the same conditions.

Is there an optimum oil temperature range for a fully synthetic engine oil
when it works best and the properties of the oil work/perform at their best ?

All combustion engines produce water as one of their byproducts, and AW additives need to get hot enough to work-so, my vote is 100C to 130C or so.

 

[dbias]

My 23 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the 3.6 and runs around 205* and my 24 VW GTI has the 2.0 turbo EA888 gen4 and it stays btwn 210 to 225. In the GTI I have the Water, oil and transmission temp selected to show in the gauges and it gets the water to 194* very quickly, like in a couple blocks, but on most days the DSG transmission temp rises faster the oil temp which surprises me as most other cars I’ve had the transmission was by far the last to come up to temp.

 

[Patman]

My 23 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the 3.6 and runs around 205* and my 24 VW GTI has the 2.0 turbo EA888 gen4 and it stays btwn 210 to 225. In the GTI I have the Water, oil and transmission temp selected to show in the gauges and it gets the water to 194* very quickly, like in a couple blocks, but on most days the DSG transmission temp rises faster the oil temp which surprises me as most other cars I’ve had the transmission was by far the last to come up to temp.

I was very shocked when I first saw how cool the transmission in my Corvette runs. Even after driving it for an hour on the hottest summer day it’s usually still under 130F. It’s the 8 speed automatic and I don’t even think it comes with a trans cooler.

 

[ammolab]

My air cooled 1972 BMW motorcycle ran a steady 285F on the highway. I ran the oil 5000 miles without issue. M1 15W-50.

 

[Titan]

2.5 L Subaru boxer 2024 Forester runs at a reported oil temp of 214-221 F on the highway at 65-75 mph. Slow to traffic speed off highway and the temp drops to sub 214, even idling in 90+ degree heat with A/C on. So it's the higher fuel-burning situations that heat this oil up to a good, warm temp. Otherwise, it's warm, but not water-boiling hot.

 

[Free Ride]

215°-230° F.
Hot enough to ensure evaporation of moisture and promote additive reactivity
while still cool enough to provide sufficient MOFT and good service life.

OK.
215°-230° F = 101°-110° C.

What is MOFT ?

Provide the oil temperatures.

The car with the constant highest engine oil temperature:
* Summer time: 115°-123° C.
* Winter time: 105°-110° C.

The car with the constant lowest engine oil temperature:
* Summer time: 95-102° C.
* Winter time: 85-95° C.

I use the same oil in all 6 cars in the family.
100 % Full Synthetic 0w-40

All combustion engines produce water as one of their byproducts, and AW additives need to get hot enough to work-so,
my vote is 100°-130° C.

OK.

 

[Free Ride]

2.5 L Subaru boxer 2024 Forester runs at a reported oil temp of 214°-221° F on the highway at 65-75 mph.
Slow to traffic speed off highway and the temp drops to sub 214°, even idling in 90+ degree heat with A/C on.
So it's the higher fuel-burning situations that heat this oil up to a good, warm temp.

OK.
214°-221° F = 101°-105° C.

 

[RDMgr]

These are bulk oil temperatures and while they are good for keeping oil dry, they have nothing to do with ZDDP activation temperatures which are much higher.

 

[yowps3]

The Kia Stinger is interesting. Steady highway cruising at 1200rpm the oil temp is higher around 212 to 220

Spirited driving and in very high ambient temps the oil temp is below 212

 

[02zx9r rev2]

OK.
215°-230° F = 101°-110° C.

What is MOFT ?

The car with the constant highest engine oil temperature:
* Summer time: 115°-123° C.
* Winter time: 105°-110° C.

The car with the constant lowest engine oil temperature:
* Summer time: 95-102° C.
* Winter time: 85-95° C.

I use the same oil in all 6 cars in the family.
100 % Full Synthetic 0w-40


OK.

Minimum Oil Film Thickness

 

[edyvw]

The Kia Stinger is interesting. Steady highway cruising at 1200rpm the oil temp is higher around 212 to 220

Spirited driving and in very high ambient temps the oil temp is below 212

Electric water pump or thermostat.
BMW does that last 20yrs. Increasing temperature increases efficiency.
When pushing engine, you want more efficient cooling.
Your Stinger has probably fluid heat exchanger, as coolant temperature dr, so will oil temperature. Of course there is limit to it how low it will go. Take it to a track and it will go higher, but, more efficient cooling will buy you time there.
On hwy, that system will save you gas.

 

[21_6.7f450]

My 6.4 Diesel runs 238* Pulling heavy.
My 6.7 ran empty 210* and 240* with the stock oil pan. It now runs 196* empty and 228* loaded heavy. They (The haters..lol) said the pan wouldn't make a hill of a difference. Absolutely 100% False. It does in fact keep temps a few degrees cooler,however, it is much slower to warm the oil and the pan blocks the trans cooler so it's 5* warmer than before.

 

[TiGeo]

my 24 Vette runs at 180-190…..

Drive it harder

 

[TiGeo]

My '18 VW Golf Sportwagen 200-225 F for normal driving varying on ambient. 270 F+ on track.

 

[TiGeo]

My 23 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the 3.6 and runs around 205* and my 24 VW GTI has the 2.0 turbo EA888 gen4 and it stays btwn 210 to 225. In the GTI I have the Water, oil and transmission temp selected to show in the gauges and it gets the water to 194* very quickly, like in a couple blocks, but on most days the DSG transmission temp rises faster the oil temp which surprises me as most other cars I’ve had the transmission was by far the last to come up to temp.

Remember that the 194 is a dummy number and it's more of a range. You don't see the fluctuations but my VW will see up to 235 before thar gauge moves off 194.

 

[billt460]

I've had the 5.7 in my Jeep up to 244F driving from Phoenix to Lake Havasu in August with 120F temps. In January it's lucky to get to 195.