1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I don't know what the oil-cooler thermostat value is for an '88, but my '91 was 194°F and the '95 Aero is 225°F. I found that the '91 would often hit 200° for the short time I ran fossil oil in it, but was reduced to about 190° (typical) when I changed to Mobil 1. It was reduced further when I changed to Royal Purple at 75k miles, which I ran in the car 'til I sold it at 124k. During the time RP was used, oil temp typically ran 180°F, never going over 190°F in severe, hot-weather traffic.
In the Aero, temps commonly level out at about 200°F in summer, sometimes climbing to 205-210° at its highest, even with its 225° thermostat. I've run RP oil (15w40 year 'round) since purchased in May '99. Despite the appeals of some here to keep oil temp above 200°, I'd be happier with oil temps down 10-20° in this Aero, and I've often toyed with changing the thermostat to a 194° unit like my '91, although I don't know if they are interchangeable. With summer approaching, it is something I plan on studying soon.
Regardless, a good synthetic oil (RP, M1, Amsoil, to name three) won't be fazed by temperatures in the ranges we're talking about here. You can run them at 225°F all day for 10k miles or more without meaningful breakdown. I know, as I've had my RP tested twice, once at 5k and again at 10k in this Aero. Since it tested very well, including for oxidation which is related to heat, I'm not overly absorbed in changing the cooler-thermostat in this car. It's just something I'm thinking about and might like to do if not too big a hassle.
If you run your car repeatedly on short trips, like a few miles or less without the car being able to fully warm up, you would probably want your oil heating up a bit to burn the impurities (water byproducts) out sooner rather than later. These impurities do no good for an engine. However, I never allow mine to sit for long after rare short trips, so I feel I would benefit by having a lower cooler thermostat.
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
