Change oil while engine is cool?
07-18-2018, 11:52 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Change oil while engine is cool?
I hate working on hot cars and usually change oil while the engines are cool.
It flows out pretty good, and I let it drain usually about 10 minutes after raising the back of the car to get the last bit out.
Does the engine being up to full temperature really help?
It flows out pretty good, and I let it drain usually about 10 minutes after raising the back of the car to get the last bit out.
Does the engine being up to full temperature really help?
Last edited by 1999corvettels1; 07-18-2018 at 11:53 AM.
07-18-2018, 12:36 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern Corn-Nation
Posts: 6,790
Received 3,893 Likes
on
1,679 Posts
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
I use to work in a service station and was always working on hot engines, so I didn't know any other way. I've always had them at least a little warmed up since I've been away from that line of work for quite a while now even here in AZ. Just my old school mind taking control I guess.
07-18-2018, 12:49 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Synthetic 5W30 flows pretty good when cold. I change mine cold or hot. It really doesn't matter. I remember in the olden days when some of that cold oil ran like molasses. No more.
If you change it cold after the car has sat for awhile you get more of the old oil out. Just make sure the back is a little higher than the front, since the plug is on the front of the pan.....and make to fill filter with new oil before you spin it on.
If you change it cold after the car has sat for awhile you get more of the old oil out. Just make sure the back is a little higher than the front, since the plug is on the front of the pan.....and make to fill filter with new oil before you spin it on.
Last edited by JR-01; 07-18-2018 at 12:54 PM.
07-18-2018, 12:58 PM
#6
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,443
Received 19,439 Likes
on
14,048 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I change mine when the engine is cold. Really don't want to chance touching some hot components when doing the oil change.
07-18-2018, 01:03 PM
#7
Race Director
well for regularly maintained engines with detergent oil in moderate temps it doesnt really matter.
07-18-2018, 02:27 PM
#8
Drifting
The car being level to a little higher in the rear is more important than oil temperature as the front drain, low sump and pan baffles need to have the car near level to a little higher in the rear when changing oil. Otherwise all you'll be doing with the oil being hot is risk burn.
The following users liked this post:
redzg (07-18-2018)
07-18-2018, 03:01 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
I do it cold in the spring (on ramps when I park it for winter). After it drains I jack up the back a bit from level, let it drain further. Done.
