One topic that we get asked about fairly regularly revolves around car engine oil.
There are plenty of drivers who have poured far too much oil into their system, only to be followed by huge clouds of smoke. Then there are those who wait for a warning light to determine too little and those who couldn’t find their oil cap if their lives depended on it.
Amazingly—to us, but perhaps not to you—there are far too many drivers who never check their engine oil, believing that’s what a car service is for, some who only check it before long journeys, and those who didn’t even know their car used oil in the first place.
To keep your car in prime operating condition, you should check your oil level—along with coolant and a few other consumables—every couple of weeks. Paying regular attention to your car’s consumable items helps you to spot problems sooner and put them straight before any real damage is done.
How much oil does my car need?
There are a few ways to find out the oil quantity you need, as each engine holds a different capacity.
1. Check the owner’s manual
Everything you need to know about your car is in your owner’s manual. From tyre pressures to service schedules, it’s got the lot, including how much engine oil your car holds.
However, if you’ve lost your copy or never had one in the first place, it’s time to get a little creative.
2. Consult the product guides
There are many online services—most provided by service centres and oil manufacturers—where you can fill in your registration, and lo and behold, you’ll be provided with the oil capacity of your car and also the appropriate oil grades.
If you’d like to know more about the different oil grades and which is the best option for your car, check out our page detailing all the differences and what they mean.
3. Ask a professional
If you can’t find a service online that helps, pick up the phone directory (if such a thing exists in your home! Perhaps Google ‘local dealerships’ instead) and call your car makes office. They’ll have all the details you need and should be happy to advise you. You can speed up the process with your vehicle identification numbers (VIN) to hand. You’ll find it stamped onto your engine chassis, on your dashboard, on the driver’s side door, or on the registration document.
4. Estimate the amount by engine size
If you check how many cylinders your engine operates on, that provides a fair estimation of how much oil it should take.
- Four-cylinder engines – around 3.5 to 4.5 litres
- Six-cylinder engines – around 4.5 to 5.5 litres
- Eight-cylinder engines – around 5.5 to 7.5 litres
As we said, this is only an estimation. However, we’d suggest checking the previous options first to learn the precise figures.
Checking a car’s oil level
Unless you’ve got a digital display showing every last consumable level in your car, you’ll have to lift the bonnet, find the dipstick and pull it out. Clean off any residue with a rag or tissue to get a clear reading, and then insert it back in place. When you remove it this time, it should indicate the level quite clearly, ideally between the two marker points. If not, it’s time to add a little extra through the oil cap on your engine or drain it accordingly.
How to change the oil in my car?
Replacing the engine oil is a fairly straightforward job for the DIY mechanic. It entails getting under the car with a big bowl to catch the existing oil, removing the drain plug and letting it all flow out. Then, with the plug back in place, you can add the amount of oil you’ve learned until you achieve the correct level, as shown on your dipstick.
However, you can’t just throw old oil away; it needs to be disposed of properly by a responsible recycling agent.
You’ll also need to replace your oil filter at the same time. It’d be like putting dirty clothes on after a shower if you don’t!
What if my oil level is too low?
Engine oil protects all the moving parts that keep you moving. Without it, you’re in danger of unnecessary wear on the moving parts and encouraging overheating as part of the deal.
You might think your radiator, coolant and cooling system are the only parts responsible for keeping your car running at its optimum temperature, yet your oil also plays a significant role in the process.
Also, with too little oil in your engine, there’s a chance that it won’t reach the upper-level components when you start your car (cam bearings and associated parts, timing chains, etc.), allowing them to run dry until it circulates fully.
Fortunately, with the modern car designed to protect itself with little input from ourselves, you’ll spot a warning light on your dashboard the minute your oil levels or oil pressure drops too low.
The big question is: Why is your oil level too low?
If your oil level is low, you really should ask yourself why. If you haven’t checked the level for a considerable time, it could be through general use, but if it’s dropped dramatically over a week or so, then something’s wrong.
You could have a leaky seal or gasket, or your car could be burning far more oil than it should. Either way, get a mechanic to find the real reason and put it straight as soon as possible. Adding more oil too regularly is just an expensive and dangerous way to ‘paper over the cracks, as it were.
What if my oil level is too high?
With too much oil in the crankcase, the pump and crankshaft will whip up the oil into a frothy version of itself. Your engine needs a smooth, easy flowing oil to lubricate each component, and with all that air in the system, it won’t do its job anywhere near as well as it needs to, failing to cover the components that need it.
If you have too much oil in your system, the only fix is to drain the extra away.
How often should I change my oil?
It all depends on how much you drive and your driving style. Your oil consumption will change under both those conditions and with the weather.
Regular checks to monitor the condition of your oil is the only real way to consider just how contaminated it is. That’s where a Fixter oil service is your best bet. We change car oil only when it’s necessary, with the appropriate grade for your car, before any damage is done.
It’s a lot easier than clambering under a car up on jacks yourself and getting a faceful of oil thrown into the bargain.
About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 towns and cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.