Oil Performance in a Methanol-Fueled Vehicle Used in Severe Short-Trip Service

A methanol and a gasoline vehicle were each subjected to testing under severe short-trip driving conditions. Results show that the cool oil sump temperatures caused more fuel and water to collect in the oil of the methanol vehicle. Protective properties of both vehicles' oils degraded during short trips but rebounded somewhat during a subsequent long trip. Slightly warmer sump temperatures in longer short-trip driving resulted in no methanol dilution in the methanol vehicle's oil, and higher total volatiles contamination in the gasoline vehicle's oil. Freeway driving following the longer short trips promoted less rebound in the degraded oils' protective properties.