Patent ID: 6786080
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: F01M,F16N,G01N

Abstract:
A method for assessing a deterioration of a motor oil for determining a length of an oil-change interval of the motor oil, comprising:measuring the viscosity of the motor oil by a viscosity sensor at a plurality of times; assigning to the viscosity sensor a temperature sensor; measuring the temperature of the motor oil by the temperature sensor at substantially the same times as the plurality of viscosity measurements; analyzing the plurality of viscosity measurements and the plurality of temperature measurements to obtain an indication of the deterioration of the motor oil; and determining a length of an oil-change interval based on the indication of the deterioration of the motor oil, using evaluating electronics; wherein the measuring of the oil viscosity and the measuring of the oil temperature occur in a cooling phase of an engine after the engine has been switched off.