What is measured by the temperature differential between oil cooler oil inlet and outlet?

The temperature differential between the oil cooler oil inlet and outlet specifically measures the difference in temperature of the oil as it passes through the cooling system. This differential is critical for understanding how effectively the oil is being cooled as it circulates. A higher differential indicates that the cooler is effectively removing heat from the oil, while a smaller differential suggests less heat removal.

While the measurement of the temperature differential can provide insights into system performance, the primary focus of this specific measurement is simply to capture the direct difference in temperature. Other concepts such as heat removal capacity generally rely on the differential but encompass additional factors like flow rate and specific heat. Therefore, the straightforward answer regarding what this differential directly indicates is indeed the difference in temperature between oil entering and leaving the cooler.