10,000 mile between oil changes

stormcrow

With the 3.7l motor running oil temps of 200-220 under normal driving conditions (due to lack of oil cooler) why would anyone say that "oil won't break down under normal driving conditions" and recommend 7500 mile change intervals?

IDZRVIT

Nows your chance - tell us why oil at temperatures of 200-220 F won't go the distance. Provide references also.

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stormcrow

Two words - viscosity breakdown. No references needed.

IDZRVIT

LOL, at 220 F? Are you an accountant?

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stormcrow

Have you ever bothered to look at an oil temperature viscosity chart? It is weight dependant, of course, but check out 0w40 or 5w40. If you think that it won't break down before 7500 miles at 220 degrees farenheit, then you should quietly excuse yourself from this thread.

ChrisSlicks

I have looked at the chart, and the viscosity at 220 degrees is well within operating range. The lower viscosity does not cause breakdown in within itself.

stormcrow

The debate is not whether or not 220 is within operating range, but whether or not it will be sufficient for protection after 7500 miles. The answer is no.

And you are correct, lower viscosity does not equate breakdown...but, with rising temperature viscosity drops and metal-to-metal contact begins. Engine wear is greatly accelerated. Viscosity breakdown begins when temperatures exceed the viscosity's rating.

370Zsteve

Quote:
Originally Posted by stormcrow
Two words - viscosity breakdown. No references needed.


No, he's a douchebag.

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ChrisSlicks

As I understand it 200-220 is the ideal operating temperature. If you spend a lot of time well above that then I would consider that harsh.

stormcrow

Actually, the rule of thumb is 10 degrees cooler than your coolant temperature is the optimum operating temperature. so, 200 is right on the cusp. I would say 180-190 would be optimum. Of course, below 180 is not really recommended.

jeffreyfranz

No oil cooler??? YIKES! Even my RX-8 had dual oil coolers. now I know what my first after-market addition is going to be.

BTW, how good (accurate, functional) are the gauges in our cars?

m4a1mustang

The oil temp gauge is good.

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schrute

oil temp gauge is good.

The water temp gauge is hard to read at a glance - just a single lit led in a row of 16 or so. You can add a scanguage if you like keeping track of stuff

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m4a1mustang

I really wish we had an oil pressure gauge.

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stormcrow

I recommend the AE Performance oil cooler. It's a bit more cost-wise, but it actually works as promised and has some excellent key features.

As stated above, the oil temp gauge works well. It's easily read and has enough hashes to be more granular with the temperature readings. The others - all suck. WTF is up with the water temp gauge? That is the most useless POS ever. And I do miss having an oil pressure gauge...temps are nice, but if there is no pressure....ummmmmmmmmmmm.