Cold mornings & oil temp

[Lima]

On Monday morning the oil temp before starting the car was 2°C, but this is the best photographic evidence I have to date, which was taken this morning...

http://www.liam27.com/audi/cold-morning-01.jpg

It was only -1°C today, according to my car's ambient temp display, so we'll probably get some cooler starts to the day before spring comes.

I stopped about half way to work this morning to take some photos. I had driven about 7km and the car was parked for about 5-10mins. Before restarting the oil temp was still only in the mid 60s.

[random]

how bad is it for the car??? i usually just jump in and start driving... but i do try not to step on it until the temp reaches 100.

[HotColdBeer]

its fine... just don't drive hard until it warms up to Op temp

[Lima]

its fine... just don't drive hard until it warms up to Op temp

That's right.

You have to remember that while the S3 and Golf R have been detuned for our supposed hot climate, these same cars are designed to work in much cooler temps than we get in Australia. Just be sensible and don't even think about pushing the car until the oil temp has reached 70°C or thereabouts. You can use the coolant temp as a general guide, but really you need to allow around 10 mins of moderate driving before you can expect oil temps to be approaching their ideal range. Normal operating temps are in the high 80s through to around 110°C if you begin push a bit harder. At a track day the oil temp will be pushed further still.

[G-rig]

Sounds freezing down there already!

I try not to drive over 3000RPM till both the water and oil temps are to their normal temps.

The MK6 displays oil temp on the MFD now, buy doesn't display anything until it's over ~50 deg. Once it's about 80 I go for it.

The dsg takes a bit longer to get warm until its very crisp.

[Androo]

Cold starts don't really matter, just make sure you have coolant and the oil is thin when cold so it can lubricate the engine. 0w or 5w should be right.

[S&H]

Sounds freezing down there already!

I try not to drive over 3000RPM till both the water and oil temps are to their normal temps.

The MK6 displays oil temp on the MFD now, buy doesn't display anything until it's over ~50 deg. Once it's about 80 I go for it.

The dsg takes a bit longer to get warm until its very crisp.

3 deg C this morning for Sydney. The snowflake warning symbol on the MFD lit up when ambient temp reached 4 Deg C.

[dainese]

That's right.

You have to remember that while the S3 and Golf R have been detuned for our supposed hot climate, these same cars are designed to work in much cooler temps than we get in Australia. Just be sensible and don't even think about pushing the car until the oil temp has reached 70°C or thereabouts. You can use the coolant temp as a general guide, but really you need to allow around 10 mins of moderate driving before you can expect oil temps to be approaching their ideal range. Normal operating temps are in the high 80s through to around 110°C if you begin push a bit harder. At a track day the oil temp will be pushed further still.

What a beautiful cluster... that will never date...

True. Oil temp always takes longer to warm. You are looking at at least 10 mins.

The gauges in most cars only indicate coolant temp.
This is designed to heat up as soon as possible to get exhaust catalytic converter up to temperature (they only work when up to optimal temp).
The coolant temp is accelerated with a thermostat. The engine oil has no such system, the only systems is cooling and maintaining temps with radiators, and dissipation.

running short trips for the car is NOT good. the extent of the 'damage', i don't know.
It can cause oil to hold moisture, and there is a term for it (forgot it)
The car will also be running under the harsher of intended conditions for its prescribed time.

[dopey]

Yeah I've noticed mine seems to peak at about 60-65 on the 15-20min drive home after sitting outside in 1-3 degree weather when I'm on night shift. Sure does take a long time to warm up, even if I let it idle a bit before driving off. Maybe I need to give it just a little more stick when it's above 50 to get it to warm up faster.. as much as I'd love to let it idle and warm up for longer before setting off, I gotta get home before peak hour traffic at that time of the day.

[dainese]

don't give it stick! not when its cold, you can only let it warm as much as you can... oi wouldn't let it rule my life. peak hour traffic in sydney? pfft...

[gmc]

The oil temp is not as important as the coolant temp. The head with all of the valvetrain should be at least 80deg before you start to rev it all hard. This is where most of the engine wear occurs during cold starts etc. Cam lobes and valve guides...
Of course full rpm isn't advised until the oil is getting close to if not over 80deg.

With my 2005 DSG, the additional radiator on the side makes it a real pain in winter. It takes about 20mins before the coolant temp gets to 90deg.

[ido09s]

very untrue guys. I would suggest speaking to your service centre and explaining to them just how cold it really gets where you are.

Oil viscosity plays a big part here and you may find you will need to use something thats not recomended by VW until you get back into the warmer months.

When it is this cold the oil can end up like treacle and cause problems circulating into vital parts of the engine. You may not hear it but it is something that needs to be considered whilst servicing.

Now having said that, the oil that VW recomend may well be ok. I am not familiar with what VW service centres use so please dont shoot me. The above is just a general guide for colder areas

[gmc]

Most of the oil which meet the VW 504, 505 and 506 specifications are in the 5w30 and 0w30 range which are all suitable for sub-zero temperatures. Our lowest temperatures are also much milder than parts of Europe and North America where they see down to -35deg in some places.

As a reference, here's a Nissan oil viscosity chart with temperature suitability.

http://forum.pulsar.org.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=26713&d=1149599448

[dainese]

yes, all well and good about viscousities and the like. BUT, oil temp will still take more time than most realise. don't give it to your car while this is happening. coolant temp is designed to heat quicker.


short drives are NOT good for the engine.

[gmc]

yes, all well and good about viscousities and the like. BUT, oil temp will still take more time than most realise. don't give it to your car while this is happening. coolant temp is designed to heat quicker.


short drives are NOT good for the engine.


This is very true, the condensation in the engine never evaporates and builds up with the fuel rich blow by mixing with the oil and creating a very bad concoction. Vehicles that only get driven 5~10km a day need to have oil changed every 5,000~7,500km.

[G-rig]

I always wait till the oil temp is upto around 80 deg before increasing the revs, 90 deg is better I think. Doesn't get quite as cold up here in BNE so this process only takes 5-10 mins.

I would have thought if people have garages it would help with the starting temp somewhat?

[ido09s]

Most of the oil which meet the VW 504, 505 and 506 specifications are in the 5w30 and 0w30 range

Wow, that thin and turbo charged. I guess if its what they say to use then you use it.

Given its that thin you wont have any problems with cold starts as this stuff is like water lol

[Lima]

I got a new PB this morning.

http://www.liam27.com/audi/cold-morning-02.jpg

[Pharkus]

Are you parked in a garage at night? Probably very little difference.

Can the MKV display oil temp through the hi-line MFD?

[Lima]

Are you parked in a garage at night? Probably very little difference.

It makes a small difference. Usually my car is parked outside under a carport, and that was the case this morning. The outside temp was about -1°C today.

A few days ago my car was in the garage and the outside temp was -4°C. When I checked the oil temp before starting it was at 9°C from memory. Still cold, haha!

[Androo]

My MDF was showing 1.5 degrees on Epping road on the bridge over Ryde road. It took me around a good 10-15 minutes for the needle to hit 90degrees, driving and sitting in traffic most of that short time.

[dainese]

My MDF was showing 1.5 degrees on Epping road on the bridge over Ryde road. It took me around a good 10-15 minutes for the needle to hit 90degrees, driving and sitting in traffic most of that short time.

does the golf gti have an oil temp sensor, or is it just the coolant temp?

[G-rig]

The mk6 has oil temp on the MFD.

[OraQube]

Don't think the mk5 can display oil temp on the hi-line MFD. Went through all the available options when I first got the car but didn't notice anything.

On another note, I don't even have a coolant temp gauge :eek:
The boost gauge took its place...

[Lima]

You can probably access water/coolant/oil temp through the climate control panel's hidden menus on the Mk5. Best search for concrete info on that.

[OraQube]

You can probably access water/coolant/oil temp through the climate control panel's hidden menus on the Mk5. Best search for concrete info on that.

Yep. That's what I've been using. Only annoying thing is the AC/fan has to be on at the same time.

[Lima]

New PB this morning...

http://www.liam27.com/audi/cold-morning-03.jpg

[funny]

Yep. That's what I've been using. Only annoying thing is the AC/fan has to be on at the same time.

Incorrect. Try turning it on/off first (whichever way is opposite to what you have it at the start). I've had it working with AC off (as i basically never use AC...)

[OraQube]

Incorrect. Try turning it on/off first (whichever way is opposite to what you have it at the start). I've had it working with AC off (as i basically never use AC...)

Ok I'll give it a try.

[random]

oh please give a brief instruction on how to look up oil temp on the mdf. I didn't know the mk5 had it...