Engine oil in automotive lubricates helps regulate the temperature of moving metallic parts of an engine or transmissions. The surfaces of such components produce friction, which generates heat; without a cooler, oil can prematurely break down, eventually causing engine wear and failure.

There are two forms of oil coolers, the fin and tube system and the tube and shell system. The tube and fin method is normally positioned in front of the car radiator, and engine oil passing through copper tubes is cooled down by air via the system’s fins. The shell and tube cooling system circulate liquid coolant or water around a set of tubes to cool down the heated oil.

Standard vehicles usually have no requirement for engine oil coolers as their radiators are adequate to supply the cooling demands of engines. However, oil coolers are generally installed on specialized automobiles, like racing cars, high-performance cars, towing trucks, and extra-large vehicles haul serious loads.

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The Pros & Cons of Engine Oil Coolers

Engine oil coolers are the aftermarket addition to a vehicle. They take advantage of the science of the radiator and put it toward the engine oil to maintain it cooler over a standard vehicle’s oil source.

Function

Engine oil coolers move around the engine oil by having a maze of tubes that consequently cools it. As a result, temperatures can shift 30 degrees less than standard oil temperatures via cooler flowing air within the engine compartment.

Benefits

If a vehicle tends off-road or carries consistent hefty loads, an engine oil cooler can assist extend the engine life. In addition, keeping this oil cool prevents heating up during stressful lugging jobs.

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Considerations

The downsides to engine oil coolers consist of difficulty of placement. The cooler can’t be connected to the back of the radiator but needs proper airflow to perform. However, attaching them back aside from the radiator is an option if space is accessible. Also, suppose the vehicle doesn’t haul hefty items off-road in diverse places. In that case, an engine oil cooler might be an excessive addition since the standard engine can calm the oil effectively in normal driving circumstances.