Winter Conditions More Harsh To Oil ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
- Start date
- Status
I would tend to think that frigid temps are the main reason for startup protection. Winter also means dirty roadways Salt/Sand/Chemicals etc. Does not hurt to have the most protection during the winter.
Last edited:
It's not the cold that is hard on the oil as much as the higher fuel dilution.
I run synthetic in the winter for the cold weather performance. Dino 5w30 does not like to move on a -30 morning.
I run synthetic in the winter for the cold weather performance. Dino 5w30 does not like to move on a -30 morning.
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
is there a correlation to colder temps and fuel dilution to motor oil ?
There is. When it's cold outside, the engine takes longer to reach normal operating temp, and until it does reach it, it runs rich which in turn may cause more fuel to get dumped into the oil.
There is also a possibility of having more moisture in the crankcase in winter since engine may not get up to proper operating temp and stay there long enough to evaporate it. That's when you see the mayo-looking stuff on your oil cap.
Now, you're in GA, so don't talk to me about winter.
is there a correlation to colder temps and fuel dilution to motor oil ?
There is. When it's cold outside, the engine takes longer to reach normal operating temp, and until it does reach it, it runs rich which in turn may cause more fuel to get dumped into the oil.
There is also a possibility of having more moisture in the crankcase in winter since engine may not get up to proper operating temp and stay there long enough to evaporate it. That's when you see the mayo-looking stuff on your oil cap.
Now, you're in GA, so don't talk to me about winter.
I've read in more than a few places, that extreme cold actually starts raising the pour point of oil significantly. I think its more an issue for lightly used heavy equipment that may have motor oil in it for a couple years and perhaps many years on the hydraulic fluid.
I still store my stach in the shed but it all has quite a ways to go before cold flow becomes an issue.
I still store my stach in the shed but it all has quite a ways to go before cold flow becomes an issue.
startup
http://www.pennzoil.com/motor-oil/
Watch video on cold flow. although not many of us can say we are starting when its -35 celsius. If we do its rare.
http://www.pennzoil.com/motor-oil/
Watch video on cold flow. although not many of us can say we are starting when its -35 celsius. If we do its rare.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
What conditions in the Winter (perhaps besides extreme cold) are harder on an oil and thus why more people run a synthetic at least during the Winter months ?
Inadequate warmup time leaving moisture in the water. It doesn't hurt the oil but might damage engine (rust). I never killed an engine but did rust-out a catalyst in just one year with short 10 minute trips. I now drive my car at least 30 minutes after it reaches hot temp.
What conditions in the Winter (perhaps besides extreme cold) are harder on an oil and thus why more people run a synthetic at least during the Winter months ?
Inadequate warmup time leaving moisture in the water. It doesn't hurt the oil but might damage engine (rust). I never killed an engine but did rust-out a catalyst in just one year with short 10 minute trips. I now drive my car at least 30 minutes after it reaches hot temp.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
is there a correlation to colder temps and fuel dilution to motor oil ?
There is also a possibility of having more moisture in the crankcase in winter since engine may not get up to proper operating temp and stay there long enough to evaporate it. That's when you see the mayo-looking stuff on your oil cap.
http://www.fastfordmuscle.com/index.php/topic/761-lots-of-oil-in-my-jlt-oil-separator/?p=26436
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
is there a correlation to colder temps and fuel dilution to motor oil ?
There is also a possibility of having more moisture in the crankcase in winter since engine may not get up to proper operating temp and stay there long enough to evaporate it. That's when you see the mayo-looking stuff on your oil cap.
http://www.fastfordmuscle.com/index.php/topic/761-lots-of-oil-in-my-jlt-oil-separator/?p=26436
- Status
Similar threads
