Standardised engine oil temperature range?

Question

Does anyone know what the (more or less) acceptable standardised range is, for the oil temperature of a car engine?

I understand that 40-120 degrees C, seems to be the acceptable range for the engine coolant temperature, but whats the range for oil temperature? I have searched and searched for this, different sites give me different ranges based on the engine and oil type.

Thanks for your time, Dan.

oryades · Accepted Answer

Operating temperature of most modern car engines is ~90C (about the same to the thermostat opening temperature) and oil temperature in the sump will be around 10C less than that.

More and more modern cars tend to increase engine operating temperature for increased engine efficiency and reduced emissions, hence they increase oil temperature in the sump.

So in general oil temperatures in the sump are less or in par with engine coolant temperatures.

But oil can reach very high temperatures for a very short time in the hottest parts of engine (around piston rings).

Carguy · Answer

For non-synthetic motor oil, the traditional approach is to try to hold oil temperatures between 110C and 125 degrees (~230-260F).  For full synthetic motor oil, maximum can exceed 300 degrees.  In all cases, less than 100C (212F) will cause water buildup in the crankcase.
See this link for more information.

Standardised engine oil temperature range?

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