I usually do mine when it's about the same temp as a glass of hot chocolate. That way you can drain it quicker than when cold and it doesn't burn too bad if you spill some or touch the engine / exhaust.....
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09 Corolla Matrix 1.8l Dual VVT-i 5spd Manual Sundance Metallic - Alpine CDA 9883 - TRD drop in - Enkei BMBT 16" Alloys new addition: '93 2.7L Tacoma 2wd
it makes no difference really... if the ambient temp is extremely cold such as in the dead of winter then you should warm up the engine a little just so the oil will drain easier...
Quote:
The reason you want to oil to be hot is because all of the foreign contaminents are suspended in the oil.
foreign particles in the oil should be settled out at the bottom of the base or trapped in the oil filter regardless of oil temp
__________________ 2001 Toyota Tundra TRD 1994 Jeep YJ - no top, no doors May-Oct 1996 Toyota Tacoma - RIP! frame recall $16,638 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - SOLD
it makes no difference really... if the ambient temp is extremely cold such as in the dead of winter then you should warm up the engine a little just so the oil will drain easier...
foreign particles in the oil should be settled out at the bottom of the base or trapped in the oil filter regardless of oil temp
You definitely want the oil as warm as comfortable without burning yourself. Cold oil will more readily stick to the inside surfaces of the engine and will not drain out as completely.
If you've ever changed your own oil this is totally obvious. You can see when it is cold it comes out like syrup and when it is warm it comes out like water. The thinner it is, the more completely it drains. You want as much dirty oil out of the engine as possible. Oil change places don't just change it warm because your car came in warmed up. They'll warm it uyp if they need to.
If you have any doubts, call your Toyota dealer or a good oil change place and ask them. Ask the professionals, and even question them as to why. Over the years I have always called the dealer when I had questions about my car and they were always willing to explain why if asked.
But hey, you guys that want to change it cold, go right ahead. It ain't my car!
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I have changed my own oil for 20 years +. I have different reasoning for changing it cold, such as when its cold all the contaminants have flowed down to the pan along with all the oil that has not been trapped in gallies etc. You will a complete drain of oil after it has been allowed to sit overnight and pehaps a couple of ounces more than in an engine that has just been shut off, you just have to let it drain. Unless you are changing oil in the near zero temps and the oil really thickens up it is a moot point. All the contaminants that have not been picked up by the filter remain suspended in the oil, that's the oils job, and if that isn't happening, you are using really low grade junk oil and filter.
I have never, ever seen a car sit long enough in a shop ready to have its oil changed (or other service completed) and see them start it to warm it up. A good shop, heck even a mediocre shop has constant movement of cars coming and going as they are being serviced. If they have time to let your car sit long enough for the engine to cool down they are not doing well business-wise and have way more repair bays than they know what to do with.
Search BITOG (most of these guys know more about oil than most mechanics) and you will find it doesn't really matter. Regular oil changes with good oil and filter trump any of these details.
__________________ '09 Corolla CE Enhanced Auto
Lifetime : 6.125L/100km(38.712mpgUS)
Maximum: 5.082L/100km(46.287mpgUS)
(manually calculated) (original unflashed factory ECM code)
Also, make sure to drain the old oil completely out. If you are draining the oil with the front of the car jack up (inclined nose up), drop the car flat and rock it up and down a bit, usually an extra quantity of oil will gush out.
I usually drain the oil after an hour after the engine is shut, that is just about right to let the oil settle while still warm to drain out nicely
it makes no difference really... if the ambient temp is extremely cold such as in the dead of winter then you should warm up the engine a little just so the oil will drain easier...
foreign particles in the oil should be settled out at the bottom of the base or trapped in the oil filter regardless of oil temp
Are you serious?
Always change the oil when it is as warm/hot as possible. I do it after driving around for 10 minutes to get it to normal operating temperature and then drain it.
I <3 my drain valve. No fuss or mess and makes draining at normal operating temps possible without any burns.
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Last edited by WhiteRabbit; 07-02-2009 at 12:28 PM.
Always change the oil when it is as warm/hot as possible. I do it after driving around for 10 minutes to get it to normal operating temperature and then drain it.
I <3 my drain valve. No fuss or mess and makes draining at normal operating temps possible without any burns.
my god i must just be stupid... in fact i know nothing about vehicles what so ever... perhaps i should mention i am working on an off frame rebuild of my Jeep YJ at the moment, during which I fabricated a new frame due to rust damage (yah I can even weld), just finished reattaching the axles to the rebuilt frame and lowered the engine assembly into place... yup i certainly am a dumb a$$...
..or the engine swap I did a couple of months ago on my Honda Accord... 450,000 km on an engine with plenty of "cold" oil changes... if only i had warmed it up to normal operating temp I might have made it to 500,000 oh well who cares since I can do ALL work myself... i can post pics if necessary but since this is a corolla forum after all.... (where the biggest challenge people face is how to change oil or how to make a seat more comfortable)
I wonder if you are capable of anything more then a no brainer oil change?? probably not since you go for a drive before you drain your oil... complete lack of understanding... unless it is sub zero you are wasting your time but its your time to waste
__________________ 2001 Toyota Tundra TRD 1994 Jeep YJ - no top, no doors May-Oct 1996 Toyota Tacoma - RIP! frame recall $16,638 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - SOLD
Professionals that recommend warming oil before changing. I couldn't find any that recommended changing it cold. I wanted to go beyond my opinion and see what people that do this for a living had to say. I especially respect the information from Mobil1 and Napa. These are all people with real mechanical and automotive knowledge and experience. Hope this information helps you make the right decision.
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), just finished reattaching the axles to the rebuilt frame and lowered the engine assembly into place... yup i certainly am a dumb a$$... 
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