Changing car oil...hot or cold?

[SHRED]

I have always warmed my vehicles up first thinking oil will drain better warm.

Now I'm thinking that when I warm the oil up it stirs up everything and it would drain more efficiently cold after everything has settled to the bottom of the oil pan.

????

[Siwsan]

1. Well, when you drive somewhere for an oil change, it's warmed up

So I'd deduce that's the best condition for changing.

[SHRED]

3. My little motorhome

It's been sitting in a perfect position without the need to start it.
I'm debating whether to change it cold.

I realise folks drive to get oil changes but that's out of necessity isn't it?

[Siwsan]

8. I'd think warm will drain faster/better than cold

Of course, that's coming from someone who drives only about 1,000 miles a year.

[Glamrock]

2. Cold!

You want all the particles settled at the bottom. Does it make that big a difference? Probably not. But if you're gonna do it yourself, might as well let everything settle out.

[SHRED]

4. That's my thought also

Thanks

[Xipe Totec]

5. I would think the opposite

You want the particles suspended in the oil so they come out with the oil instead of settling inside the engine somewhere.

[dweller]

6. as hot as you can handle it

or super warm... you have to handle certain parts, drain plug, filter etc, and don't want to burn yourself
I usually drive till warmed, park, assemble all tools parts pans etc
test the oil pan temp with fingers, proceed when I'm ready..

✌🏼️

[SHRED]

10. Thank you

[ExciteBike66]

7. I've always been told to do it warm since the particles will be in the oil, rather than

sitting on the bottom. Honestly though, if you change it often enough this probably isn't that big a deal.

Also, it is good to have the oil already circulated onto the parts because when you drain it it would presumably drain out of the oil pick-up tube as well, so when you start up after the oil change there would be no oil flowing for half a second or so.

[RKP5637]

9. I've always drained mine cold, same reason as you were thinking. Way back I used to use 5 minute

flush, something like that, and then drained it warm ... but anymore I just drain it cold. However in the big picture, it probably doesn't make any difference as long as you change it at the mileage specified.

[NBachers]

11. It's been sitting for awhile, there's no reason not to warm it up, and let it drain for a long time.

Just don't forget that you've got it draining before you start it up and drive somewhere.

[kacekwl]

12. Hot.

[Auggie]

13. I've always heard hot

[SHRED]

14. I drained it cold

Seemed to work fine.
I use Mobil 1 synthetic in my motorhome.

[natheo]

15. change the oil when engine is warm

It will drain out all the bad particles better. Also, warm oil will flow better/faster.