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Bearing losses are considered by SAE to be so slight, they aren't included in drag calcs. That said, I like the idea of minimizing them. I aim to try this on my bicycle some day.
I've not attempted a coast-down or anything further than spinning the wheels when the car is jacked up. I will say that the oiled wheel spins much longer than the greased one on the other side in that- ahem- "test".
I don't think it would show up on any gaslog. The resolution isn't fine enough. But it makes me feel good so perhaps there's a placebo effect...
Some semi-trailers are equipped with bearing oilers. From what I've read, reliability and longevity are improved. I wouldn't worry a bit about reliability unless for some reason the oil all leaks out.
Here in the land of -40 deg F, I like to think the bearings are happier when cold with oil.
All I did was mod the grease cap; I cut a 1" hole in it and installed a plastic CaPlug for filling and level checking. Everything else is as it was.
Oil is probably messier than grease. I say "probably" because since I installed the mod 9 years ago, I've not had it apart. Haven't even checked the oil level. The most I've done is give the wheel a spin if I have the car up on jacks, and feel the hub after a trip to see if it's hot, if I think of it.
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