Downside to oil pan heater to reduce warm up time in moderate climate

Srlasher · 03-28-2022, 02:52 PM

I think its fair to say that everyone hates waiting most of your commute for your oil to warm up. I have a short 10-16 min commute and waiting for the oil to reach temp sucks all of the fun out of the car. I live in the southeast so heater blocks and oil pan heaters are not much of a thing here. Is there any downside to using one year round if only to decrease warm up time so you can enjoy your morning commute? Also, how long do they need to be plugged in to be effective?

Are there any oils that warm up quicker than others? I think I understand oil viscosity grades and run 5w-40. Does 0w-30 or 0w-40 warm up faster or is it simply thinner on colder starts? Are their brands of oils that warm up faster, say Liqui Moly vs Mobile 1 of the same viscosity?

edycol · 03-28-2022, 09:41 PM

There is no downside to block heater. I have it on my Toyota Sienna. But that is bcs. Sienna needs 20min to get proper heat inside when temperatures dip below 20. Oil actually warms up fast in Toyota (bigger displacement, smaller sump) but coolant? Holy shit!
My N52 needs some time to warm up, especially since I have N55 oil cooler and it is stick, but never thought of block heater as heat starts super fast.
Thinner oils will warm up slower. Less resistance = less heat. Don't confuse that with CCS 0W or 5W. Mobil1 5W30 EP that I use in Toyota doesn't flow as good as Mobil1 0W40, but it is obviously thinner oil.
Castrol 0W40 is IMO best street oil one can get for any E90 engine , regardless of climate and I would stick to that.

03-28-2022, 02:52 PM	#1
Srlasher Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Raleigh iTrader: (0)	Downside to oil pan heater to reduce warm up time in moderate climate I think its fair to say that everyone hates waiting most of your commute for your oil to warm up. I have a short 10-16 min commute and waiting for the oil to reach temp sucks all of the fun out of the car. I live in the southeast so heater blocks and oil pan heaters are not much of a thing here. Is there any downside to using one year round if only to decrease warm up time so you can enjoy your morning commute? Also, how long do they need to be plugged in to be effective? Are there any oils that warm up quicker than others? I think I understand oil viscosity grades and run 5w-40. Does 0w-30 or 0w-40 warm up faster or is it simply thinner on colder starts? Are their brands of oils that warm up faster, say Liqui Moly vs Mobile 1 of the same viscosity?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-28-2022, 09:41 PM	#2
edycol Lieutenant Colonel 1552 Rep 1,505 Posts Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	There is no downside to block heater. I have it on my Toyota Sienna. But that is bcs. Sienna needs 20min to get proper heat inside when temperatures dip below 20. Oil actually warms up fast in Toyota (bigger displacement, smaller sump) but coolant? Holy shit! My N52 needs some time to warm up, especially since I have N55 oil cooler and it is stick, but never thought of block heater as heat starts super fast. Thinner oils will warm up slower. Less resistance = less heat. Don't confuse that with CCS 0W or 5W. Mobil1 5W30 EP that I use in Toyota doesn't flow as good as Mobil1 0W40, but it is obviously thinner oil. Castrol 0W40 is IMO best street oil one can get for any E90 engine , regardless of climate and I would stick to that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote