Engine coolant temperature in hybrids

[Brumbach]

I have been noticing on my hybrid that the engine coolant gauge rarely stays at a normal operating range in relation to an ICE, especially in the winter. I would speculate this is due to the engine not always running. Cycling on and off with the hybrid system. Will this cause any long term issues?

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[Ozarkbeard]

No.

The coolant temp drops when the ICE isn't running. It drops even more when you run the heater, because the heater is extracting heat from the coolant. If the heater is on and the coolant drops to a point where the heater can't put out enough heat, the ICE will come on, even if it's not needed for charging the battery or for additional power. Using the heater is one reason why gas mileage suffers in winter.
In my case, running the heater uses a lot more gas than running the electric A/C compressor. YMMV

All Hybrids do this and it won't hurt it. It is important though, to use full synthetic oil that helps deal with wider engine temp ranges.

You may also notice more condensation dripping from the exhaust system in winter. This is also normal.

 

[SLINGSHOT]

My Scan Guage says 183 or 185 going down the road. In town, it will drop to 140. Sometimes less, but then the ICE kicks in. If I look at the Power Flow app on the screen, it will show that the ICE is running and say Call For Heat as the reason.

 

[stevj]

I normally start in SPORT mode until the engine gets to operating temperature, which is rarely above 185 degrees. After it gets to that temp, I'll switch to another mode.
Not good for mileage, but I figure better for the engine to try to get rid of warm-up engine block condensation early in the drive. Oil change every couple thousand miles regardless, to keep fresh oil in it. Yes, it cools off fast just sitting at a stoplight with the engine shut off.

Steve

 

[Mark1]

Yes if you do a lot of local driving with the Hybrid, put in sport mode from time to time. During local driving the motor shuts off so much it never gets to full operating temp. This can be bad to a certain degree. More condensation in the exhaust system and sludgeing up the oil. Sport mode for a few minutes will get it to full operating temperature. Driving suddenly on a cold motor with no oil flow is never good. Synthetic does help with this. The good thing is the hybrid doesn't use a starter that can wear out from frequent use.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Yes if you do a lot of local driving with the Hybrid, put in sport mode from time to time. During local driving the motor shuts off so much it never gets to full operating temp. This can be bad to a certain degree. More condensation in the exhaust system and sludgeing up the oil. Sport mode for a few minutes will get it to full operating temperature. Driving suddenly on a cold motor with no oil flow is never good. Synthetic does help with this. The good thing is the hybrid doesn't use a starter that can wear out from frequent use.

The ice will be started frequently enough to keep EPA temperatures in range. Some one posted there is an electric oil pump to pressurize oil prior to the 3 ph dc starter/generator starting ice. In any case the ice is only started cold once during a drive cycle. I try to cycle through all drive modes monthly to keep memory learn somewhat fresh. I will use the L button more often than sport mode.

 

[Rob911]

It is important to bring the oil up to a full operating temperature frequently in order to "boil" away the condensation and fuel that gets into the oil through normal operating. This contamination process is called "blow by" and it is completely normal for all ICEs. These boiled off "vapors" get put back into the combustion cycle via the PCV valve.

The problem with all ICEs in cold weather which are used only for very short drives and never get up to full temperature is that the oil can become very diluted. (I had a 2017 CRV with a 1.5L and honda had a recall to reprogram the computer to modify the running characteristics in order to heat the oil up more). Since hybrids are more prone to operating for period of time without getting up to full temperature it is good to run them once or twice a week (in IMO only) either on the highway or in sport mode for a little bit. For the vast majority of people here this is not a problem and ford doesn't thing so either but....

 

[Oscarcat]

RE: Low operating temp of hybrid ICE - That is why I use Mobil-1 HYBRID SPECIFIC full syn oil. Hybrid specifc has more of the additives that combat condensation from the low operating temp of hybrids.

 

[Mark1]

Not all of the contaminants turn to vapor. Especially if you don't get to full temp over many cycles. Water and condensation does damage. Fuel with ethanol or E85 have water. 5% water in ethanol.

 

[The Real Maverick]

It is important to bring the oil up to a full operating temperature frequently in order to "boil" away the condensation and fuel that gets into the oil through normal operating. This contamination process is called "blow by" and it is completely normal for all ICEs. These boiled off "vapors" get put back into the combustion cycle via the PCV valve.

The problem with all ICEs in cold weather which are used only for very short drives and never get up to full temperature is that the oil can become very diluted. (I had a 2017 CRV with a 1.5L and honda had a recall to reprogram the computer to modify the running characteristics in order to heat the oil up more). Since hybrids are more prone to operating for period of time without getting up to full temperature it is good to run them once or twice a week (in IMO only) either on the highway or in sport mode for a little bit. For the vast majority of people here this is not a problem and ford doesn't thing so either but....

Define what "very diluted" means to you. Expressed as a percentage please.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Not all of the contaminants turn to vapor. Especially if you don't get to full temp over many cycles. Water and condensation does damage. Fuel with ethanol or E85 have water. 5% water in ethanol.

I don't know where you are buying your E85 or ethanol. But I'd find a new place.

The internationally recognized specification is 1% or less; and it is sold and distributed at 0.5% so there is safety margin. Maybe you forgot the decimal and meant to say .5% water, which is of course correct.

But it is not "free floating" (or in this case free sinking) water. The water is bound up in the ethanol molecule and is not available to freeze, create rust, or any other harmful effect.

 

[dochawk]

The water is bound up in the ethanol molecule and is not available to freeze, create rust,

Hydrocarbons in bondage.

Who woulda thunk it?

 

[Rob911]

Define what "very diluted" means to you. Expressed as a percentage please.

> 28.5% based on my real world experience dealing with this problem owning a honda.

On my honda 1.5 L turbo it would actually cause the oil level to rise from the middle of the low/high level mark on the dipstick to an overfill condition. This engine (1.5 honda turbo) only takes 3.5 L (3.7 qt) of oil including the filter. In my case it took another full litre to mimic this condition (yes I measured while changing my oil). I don't think that most people realize how diluted oil can get.

Honda issued a recalled and extended the warranty as this was an extreme case. I never had any issues with the engine which I owned for four years. Since then I make it a habit, since I live in canada, of making sure that I bring my engines up to and keep them at operating temperature for least an hour each week , which is not hard to do in my case even though most of my driving is in the city.

I hope that you find this helpful.

Microsoft Word - Honda Civic Oil Dilution Customer Letter_website.docx

"... you may periodically notice that the engine is operating with the oil level above the “upper” mark when checking the oil by the dipstick. This is a normal condition for this class of engine and will have no adverse effects on engine performance or long-term engine durability...."

 

[Mark1]

Define what "very diluted" means to you. Expressed as a percentage please.

Residual Sludge.........Some have found this in the oil near the bottom and on the Drain plug. Percentage? Send out samples.

 

[The Real Maverick]

> 28.5% based on my real world experience dealing with this problem owning a honda.

On my honda 1.5 L turbo it would actually cause the oil level to rise from the middle of the low/high level mark on the dipstick to an overfill condition. This engine (1.5 honda turbo) only takes 3.5 L (3.7 qt) of oil including the filter. In my case it took another full litre to mimic this condition (yes I measured while changing my oil). I don't think that most people realize how diluted oil can get.

Honda issued a recalled and extended the warranty as this was an extreme case. I never had any issues with the engine which I owned for four years. Since then I make it a habit, since I live in canada, of making sure that I bring my engines up to and keep them at operating temperature for least an hour each week , which is not hard to do in my case even though most of my driving is in the city.

I hope that you find this helpful.

Microsoft Word - Honda Civic Oil Dilution Customer Letter_website.docx

"... you may periodically notice that the engine is operating with the oil level above the “upper” mark when checking the oil by the dipstick. This is a normal condition for this class of engine and will have no adverse effects on engine performance or long-term engine durability...."

Great!

You have NOTHING to worry about with Mavericks.

The WORST used oil analysis I've seen posted was less than 5% dilution. Most are 1% or 2% even after 10,000 miles.

Cheers! And happy early birthday!

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