What is used to cool oil in an engine oil cooler?

In an engine oil cooler, coolant is used to dissipate heat from the engine oil. The engine oil cooler is designed to lower the temperature of the oil as it circulates through the engine. This is crucial because maintaining optimal oil temperature helps ensure proper lubrication and performance of engine components.

Coolant, which is typically a mixture of water and antifreeze, flows through the cooler in a separate circuit but is in close proximity to the oil. As the hot oil passes through the cooler, heat is transferred to the coolant, which then carries the heat away from the oil, allowing it to return to the engine at a more suitable operating temperature.

Using coolant enhances engine efficiency and helps prevent overheating, ultimately extending the life of both the oil and the engine itself. Other options, while related to cooling processes, either do not effectively cool oil in the way that coolant does or are used in different contexts within an engine’s cooling system.