Does anyone know what the Lexus engineers have done to keep the engine oiled up for all the starting and stopping a hybrid engine will do?

I would think the oil pump would need to continue to pump while running on the electric motor so when the engine kicks in it's not dry of oil. Just interested if anyone accurately knows what was done to address this, Thanks.

Bob

 

Bob
The engine is never dry. It's a new low friction engine and is lubed with Toyota's 0w20w oil that has very good properties. All the parts maintain a coating of oil until more is pumped through. It's not the same as the old days where thicker weight oil was used and we had to monitor low pressures.

 

Interesting, I knew they would have to do something to improve lubrication for sometimes the motor is on and off several times in a short period of time and then other times I can get a lengthy all electric run with no engine. I guess that's another reason these come from the factory with synthetic oil.

There must be something to also allow the motor to start easier for it's so subtle you can barley tell when the motor starts again unlike when you first crank the motor. It's almost like it is spun up to RPMs by the electric motor before the engine actually cranks.
Thanks


Bob

 

Lots of good info in the Hybrid Synergy Drive entry on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Synergy_Drive

 

Coffee
I meant to post a thank you for the link you posted but got side tracked reading it.
Thanks again

Bob

 

Haha! I know what you mean. I spent a lot of time reading it...and all the links at the bottom. It killed a lot of time at work one day.

 

I actually thought the oil was 0w 50w?

 

Never heard of any car using 0W50 oil other than in racing. And the 450h would not fit in that category for sure.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ing_0W-50.aspx

 

I don't think I have ever seen 0w-50w oil. I tyied to find 0w-20 but had to settle for 5w-20w mobile one.

 

Any Toyota or Lexus dealer will have it.

Also you should be able to find it at auto parts stores, walmart, etc.

 

I checked wal-mart and a couple of the local auto parts places. Only one did carry the 0w-20w but only had a couple of quarts left. I wanted the Mobile one and was looking for the 5 qt jugs for I change my own oil. I figured the difference from 0w vs 5w was minute and wal-mart had a good price on them.

Bob