I usually run my car around for about 20 minutes before changing the oil. The thought is that all the nasty particulate matter will be suspended and thus drain more out at change time. Because of a defective out of the box lift I was unable to change my car's oil before putting it up for the winter. I have read on the Porsche forums where changing the oil cold is not a problem, you just have to let it drain longer. So I solicit the collective for its opinion.

Question:
Do you prefer to change your oil when it is hot/warm or cold?

Choices:
Hotter the better
Cold is okay with me
I don't change my own oil

 

I do similar to you a drive around the neighborhood for about 5 - 10 minutes prior to changing my vehicle's oil.

I drive 10 minutes down the hiway to the place that does my oil and then within a few minutes it’s up in The air.

Warm.

I let it sit for about an hour.

The warmer the oil is, the more suspended solids you'll remove when you drain it.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
The warmer the oil is, the more suspended solids you'll remove when you drain it.

I think that's right.
Warmer is better.

Just warm.

As long as you change it at recommended intervals or sooner, it probably doesn't matter.
I change mine after at least 20 minutes. Can't hurt.

Why does is matter is the particles are suspended or not? If they are in the oil. I guess you mean particles that are not in the oil but just stuck onto items above the oil.

But anyway... back when I did change my oil it was either warm or hot..... now I pay my local mechanic to to do it....

Not to change the subject... but a few years back I asked a question on the internet that had always baffled me.... what is synthetic oil? Kind of confusing since most synthetics are made out of oil.

if I'm doing it I'll go for warm just because I find it most comfortable for my hands.

Warm. The hotter the better option is not correct. Warm the oil so it floats and flows the particles on the bottom of the of the pan. Too hot where you are more likely going to burn yourself is not good either.

The oil drains a heck of a lot faster and easier when it's hot, I know that much.

But does it really matter otherwise? No, not really.

As far as suspending particulates, I suspect modern engines with full flow filtering, don't have many, save some that elude the trip to the filter and sit in the bottom of the pan.

I prefer warm, but sometimes do cold if it is expedient. All oil has flowed into the pan from sitting since warm, so it is all in the pan. Why pump it somewhere else when you are trying to drain it?

The only drawback I see to cold, (not talking arctic cold) is that the draining flow isn't as fast which could flush debris out of the pan that didn't get to the filter.

I wish engines had a port that you could apply pressurized oil with a hand pump to flush the pickup screen. Maybe it would just induce a failure point and not be worth it.

I always do it when the car is piping hot, pull the drain plug and come back in an hour. But Mrs. Lee's POS BMW X1 has a PLASTIC drain plug. Guess what happens when you put a hex bit into a hot plastic drain plug and turn. It's so ridiculous that they even include a new drain plug with each new oil filter kit, knowing you will destroy the old one every time you remove it, often having to use a chisel or Dremel tool.

Slightly warm is much preferred. Nothing like having hot oil get all over your hand and run down your arm. With one of these tools to grasp the drain plug (assuming it turns easily) …

… you can minimize this. But on many cars you also have to reach through tight spaces next to hot exhaust and other engine parts to get at the filter.

Hot when I used to do it myself. Now at 75+ I have it done.

Warm.

My two cents is that it only matters for flowing capability. Any solids that aren’t already in the filter will settle where they are in the engine as soon as flow stops. Warm oil is all that’s needed, changing your oil and filter regularly is more important.

I did my daughters Civic once when she had been driving. I ended up hitting the exhaust and got a second degree burn on my arm that ended up getting infected.

I'd want the car warm. But then leave it for 10-15 minutes to let the oil settle back in the pan before draining.

I change hot. But I also have a lift and an large oil change tank.