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HomeCarsThe absurd tendency to drive with a low oil level to gain...

The absurd tendency to drive with a low oil level to gain engine power

There are many ways to increase the horsepower of a car engine, such as changing the turbo, changing the boost pressure, replacing the exhaust system or management unit. The latest fashion is to drive with a low oil level.

A widespread but dangerous practice

Increasing the power of your car is a common practice among some drivers. The possibilities are numerous:

  • Change management unit
  • Adjust turbo pressure or install a different turbo
  • Improve the exhaust system
  • And now driving with a dangerously low oil level
  • A rumor has been circulating for some time that an engine with less oil than normal would gain horsepower because there would be less fluid to churn in the crankcase.

    GM V8 test shows 10% power gain

    This theory was tested by Lake Speed โ€‹โ€‹Jr, an automotive engineer specializing in engine lubrication, on his YouTube channel โ€œThe Motor Oil Geekโ€. Together with Ben Strader, founder of the online technical school EFI University, they ran a General Motors V8 LS on a test bench with different quantities of oil.

    Normally filled with 11 liters of 15W-40 oil, the engine was tested with 5, 7 and 9 liters of a GP-1 high-performance synthetic oil from Driven Racing Oil. The results are edifying:

  • With 5 liters: up to 658 hp, but oil pressure drops by half around 5100 rpm, risking serious engine damage
  • With 7 liters: 638 hp max, more stable oil pressure but which begins to drop around 7000 rpm when the oil runs out in the crankcase
  • With 9 liters: 597 hp โ€œonlyโ€, no loss of pressure but lower performance
  • Finding the right balance

    Although it depends on each case, engine power increases when the oil level drops. The key is to find the precise point where you extract the maximum performance without depleting the lubricant.

    But be careful, this practice is absolutely not recommended for your car. The safest and most reliable thing for mechanics is to always maintain the oil level between the maximum and the minimum recommended by the manufacturer.

    Sacrificing lubrication and engine longevity for a few more horsepower is a very risky gamble. It is better to prioritize rigorous maintenance and proven optimization methods if you want to improve the performance of your vehicle with complete peace of mind.

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