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Best for engine oil start up, park tilt downward or upward?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Grit, Aug 6, 2018.

  1. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I moved into a new place back while ago and my parking space has a slight grade tilt. When I check the dip stick with prius engine pointing down, there is about 1/2 cm oil above the full dot. When I park on a flat level, engine oil is right on the full dot so I know it's still full.

    So the question is, is it best to have the car front parked slightly tilt forward, or tilt to the back to ensure the engine oil lubes cold soak? There's no parking else where and I have an old soul that waits for ICE to stop before I drive off cold soak. How about forget the warm up and just drive off immediately after ready is engaged and get on road to level prius ASAP.

    Thanks my dudes.
     
    #1 Grit, Aug 6, 2018
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    My dude:LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL::ROFLMAO:,

    Not sure it really makes a difference ;).

    Lubrication shouldn’t be an issue as it’s full:).

    How’s the redline been doing:whistle:?

    I let our 2010 hit ready and drive off (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2018
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe park the low end on 2x8's or something.(n)
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 6, 2018
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  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    HAHA. I'm gonna put that my dude thing to rest.'

    Just wondering what will happen to the components in back of crankcase that's not bathing in engine oil full at cold soak start up.

    Love Red line 0w-20 so far, its a darker brown texture now at 3500 miles. Typically toyota and royal purple would be this color at 2,000 miles from my experience. Might change it at 7,500 first and do full thorough check of the filter to see if there's any metal parts before settling for the full 10,000 OCI. There could be detergent cleaning but if there's metal particles, that can still do physical damage.
     
    #4 Grit, Aug 6, 2018
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  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I'll admit, thought about doing that.
     
    #5 Grit, Aug 6, 2018
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  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Generally if all four tires are touching the ground, you won't be able to detect any difference in lubrication.

    If not? Work on your parking; it's a more urgent situation than your oil.

    If you really want to go for the gold? Install a block heater and use it every time. Every watt you buy from the grid in pre-heating that block is a bit of gasoline you don't have to burn at startup. An engine confined to a narrow band of operating temperatures can last a freakishly long time without wear.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 6, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2018
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  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Don’t forget redline is a different base stock than your typical synthetic oil;).

    The ester based oil will be darker, but color doesn’t tell the whole story:).

    Clubbing up to 0w-40 on the 190 k miles change(y).
     
    #7 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2018
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  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Right on, you gonna be a bona fide 200,000 mi club member. Have you covered to "high mileage" engine oil yet?
     
    #8 Grit, Aug 6, 2018
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Nope;).

    I use BG Products Extended Life moa though to keep the oil basic:).

    Maybe I’m the future I’ll switch(y).
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Aug 6, 2018
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  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Thanks.

    Parking is assigned, can't park anywhere else here unless giving money to towing company's pound is an option. Same with block heater, someone will cut the cable when living in apartment complex :(
     
    #10 Grit, Aug 6, 2018
  11. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    You might solve the problem by getting in the habit of checking the oil when filling up. Gas station filling pads are very level- they can sell you more product when your tank is level, and it helps them control spills.

    It's less convenient than at home, but at least you aren't guessing on the dipstick.
     
    #11 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 6, 2018
  12. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    The purpose of the "warm up cycle" is to get the catalytic converters up to temp so they are not spewing contaminants into the air. It has nothing to do with warming up the engine oil for lube properties. If you are using 0W-20 oil as specified, you already have the "thinnest" oil possible from cold.
     
    #12 FuelMiser, Aug 7, 2018
  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I'm sure.
    It makes NO difference to anything.

    He might want to consider getting treatment for that OCD however. :whistle:
     
    #13 sam spade 2, Aug 7, 2018
  14. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    IMG_1511.JPG

    So I did that, checked the engine oil level at the gas station. It appears that the engine oil is 3 inches above the full dot. Is this bad? Went from 1/2cm off from parking space to 3" off at gas station.
     
    #14 Grit, Aug 8, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2018
  15. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Bad reading. No way it jumped that much.

    Remember: draw it out, wipe it dry, plunge it back in firmly and hold for a 3-count. Then draw it back out for the reading.

    You hold it in and pause because sometimes you are pushing an air bubble down with it, the pause gives everything a chance to settle.
     
    #15 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 9, 2018
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