Is Lower Engine Temperature Always Better?
1 Answers
Engine performance is not optimal at lower temperatures, as it can lead to increased fuel consumption and reduced engine oil lifespan. Below are detailed explanations of issues caused by low engine temperature: 1. Increased Fuel Consumption: When the engine temperature is below the normal operating range, the atomization effect of fuel injected from the injectors decreases. This reduces the contact area between fuel particles and air in the mixture, resulting in incomplete combustion or prolonged combustion time, which in turn reduces engine power. To compensate for the lack of power, drivers tend to press the accelerator more, ultimately leading to higher fuel consumption. 2. Accelerated Wear of Internal Engine Components: All materials on Earth expand with heat and contract with cold. Engine components are designed with their thermal expansion coefficients in mind. At room temperature, the internal fit of engine parts is not ideal. Only when the temperature reaches the designed operating temperature do the parts achieve optimal fit as intended. Therefore, when the engine temperature is too low, the gaps between internal components are relatively larger, leading to excessive wear over time due to improper fit. 3. Reduced Engine Oil Lifespan: Poor atomization results in larger fuel particles that are more likely to adhere to cylinder walls and resist complete combustion. During piston movement, significant amounts of fuel can mix with the engine oil. This alters the oil's properties, degrading its performance and significantly shortening its lifespan compared to normal operating conditions.
