With all this discussion about oil recently, it got me wondering what a typical warm-up cycle is for an MT S1 RX-8 is. Which is to say, how long does it take for the oil temperature to stabilize?

All you folks out there with oil pressure/temp gauges – can you report back with data? Also, please indicate the conditions – ambient temps, driving style/speeds while in the warming cycle , oil used, presence of forced induction, etc.

Thanks!

If I remember correctly NYCGPS reported last year that in cold weather with normal driving around it took upwards of 40 minutes to stabilize. Oil has a quite high thermal coefficient so it takes a while.

Ironically running at higher throttle/rpms will make it heat up quicker, yet you don't want to do this till the oil is hot......

it takes a few minutes. If I remember, I'll time it when I leave work.
I usually tell people, 5 minutes after the OEM temp needle reaches it's usual spot

Different use entirely, but we usually trundle around the service area in 2nd gear @ 2-3krpm for around 15 minutes in a morning to get the oil up to 80*c - (175*f)

I'd agree with Jedi. 40 minutes is over the top, even over 10 minutes IMO is. Once the needle moves on my oil temp gauge I know it's warm and I drive normally after that. Until then I just drive efficiently and shift at 4k rpm. I believe it takes about 5 minutes for it to move so I'll check.

Winter time I'm not sure as I plan on storing mine away, but I can't see it taking over 10 minutes to get the oil warm. My gauge starts at around 100-120F for oil temp and stays around 150 driving so when it starts moving I crank it up.

It's also believed that a lot if not most damage can occur when oil is at low temperature and people don't let it warm up sufficiently. Even in hot weather I give it a couple of minutes before putting it into gear and moving then shifting conservatively till the gauge needle starts moving on the oil temp. I would think you'd want to do this even moreso for those who use thicker starting weight oil (20w)

BINGO!! And herein is one of the problems imho. the oem gauge will show full warm--but oil temps will be 140F or less. It takes me a good 10 minuets at low load less than 4K driving during a 70F morning to get the oil temp to 160. it will take 20-30 minutes to get it to the 180F mark with mixed stop and go and interstate. This is with light load driving.
I am running 15/40w valvoline blue
olddragger

Great replies everyone, keep 'em coming!

Different use entirely, but we usually trundle around the service area in 2nd gear @ 2-3krpm for around 15 minutes in a morning to get the oil up to 80*c - (175*f)

But, if I'm not mistaken, you have an oversize oil-cooler which means more oil capacity, correct?

We're using about 8.2L of oil for a complete fill.

It takes me a bit longer to get my oil up to operating temperature with normal driving but right now I'm currently missing the right side mud guard so my oil cooler is exposed to a lot more airflow and probably the reason I have issues with my oil temperatures being as low as they are.

I would say that 10 minutes of normal driving would be enough that you can drive the car normally. The main thing you want to avoid is running the engine above 6,000 RPM's only minutes after it's been started.

Usually it needs 10 minutes to reach the 158F oil temp, with idle + drive at very low rpm's. After 5 minutes the oil does not reach the 122F. (outside temp is about 73-80F)

This thread inspired me to waste some time today and make a video of how long it takes from idle to get my oil (Royal Purple 5W-30) up to 140 deg. I have the mechanical gauges that are included in the Racing Beat kit. The oil gauge always lagged behind the water temp. I am not sure if that because the sensor is in a sandwich plate under the oil filter or if oil just takes longer to come up to temp because of the dual coolers. I included a scan gauge II so the RPM's can be seen and that the WT gauge closely matched the temp from the OEM sensor.

For those how can't wait FF the 1st vid to 9:45, that is how long it took from idle to get up to 140 on a 69 deg day. The second video shows how long it took to get from 140-150 deg.

First 10 minutes, cold engine to 140 deg.

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140 - 150 Deg.

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We're using about 8.2L of oil for a complete fill.

Cool....I'm up to an even 12L +/- :) Takes about 15 minutes to get it to 75 degrees C

BINGO!! And herein is one of the problems imho. the oem gauge will show full warm--but oil temps will be 140F or less. It takes me a good 10 minuets at low load less than 4K driving during a 70F morning to get the oil temp to 160. it will take 20-30 minutes to get it to the 180F mark with mixed stop and go and interstate. This is with light load driving.
I am running 15/40w valvoline blue
olddragger

+1..give or take 5 minutes..;)

Usually I wait til' my pressure drops and my water temp is 150+ before my car moves at all. If I'm not in a rush I'll wait until water temp is at 175-180F.

Our oil coolers make no difference in how fast your oil warms up when first starting a cold car. Both of the coolers have thermally controlled bypass valves.

I am sure most of you know this but just thought I would reiterate this fact as it has direct correlation with the thread.

Cool....I'm up to an even 12L +/- :) Takes about 15 minutes to get it to 75 degrees C

Our oil lines are quite short which helps, besides, can't carry too much oil - it's too heavy ;)

That's 5 lbs I'm willing to carry ;)

Ah yes, the racer's perspective - I identify with that well.

Thanks again for the data - particularly the videos! I must admit it takes longer than I was hoping/expecting. Looks like I probably never get the oil over 140 on my daily commute, particularly in the winter. Good thing I change it often.