We talk a lot about the essential fluids in your car. Whether its engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, gear oil, or power steering fluid, it’s important. The correct fluid level and type of fluid will affect how well the various systems of your car operate. Although all fluids matter, one fluid is particularly critical to keep your car in good shape; that fluid is engine oil.
Engine oil is responsible for preventing internal component wear and reducing friction generated from moving engine parts. Serious and costly damage can occur without enough oil in your car, or if oil isn’t changed on time. One of the most effective ways to avoid high-cost engine replacements and rebuilds is to perform routine maintenance and keep your levels topped up. In this article, we’ll cover the four easy steps for how to add engine oil to a car.
Information has been acquired from reputable sources like RepairPal and All Data. Manufacturer-specific information is sourced from the relevant automaker directly.
Why You Should Avoid Running Low On Engine Oil
CarBuzz/Valnet
As we mentioned above, running low on engine oil can lead to internal engine damage and costly repairs. There are other reasons why you’d want to avoid letting your engine oil level get too low, aside from severely reducing your engine’s reliability.
Reduced Engine Power
Healthy engines have more power. The modern Variable Valve Timing (VVT) systems found on engines today rely on sufficient oil pressure and flow. Due to oil pressure being generated between the output of the oil pump and the main bearing clearances, the power output will be directly affected if your engine is low on oil. Additionally, once an engine runs low on oil, the engine is more susceptible to wear. This includes the oil pump; worn one will heavily impact the effectiveness of the lubrication system.
An engine that is underfilled is likely to generate more heat. Heat can lead to premature component failures as well as a decrease in efficiency.
Increased Vehicle Emissions
Engine power output isn’t the only thing directly affected by an underfilled engine. Studies show an engine that is overdue for an oil change or that has experienced more wear will produce more harmful pollutants than one that is properly serviced with less wear.
What Are The Symptoms Of Low Engine Oil?
ENGINE’S GUIDE/YouTube
Your vehicle can exhibit different symptoms when the engine oil is low. The following are the most commonly reported symptoms of low engine oil:
Engine noise Reduced performance The oil pressure warning light is illuminated The engine overheats Burning oil odor Illuminated check engine light
If your vehicle is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, you may need to top up the engine oil.
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How To Add Oil To Your Car In 4 Steps
Hyundai engine with low engine oil (CarBuzz/Valnet)
If you don’t know how to put oil in your car, you can follow these four simple steps to get the job done. Additionally, we can cover some common areas of concern when it comes to adding oil to a car, such as where to put oil in a car. Adding engine oil typically does not require any special tools beyond a funnel. To add engine oil to your car, follow these steps.
Step 1: Position The Car On Level Ground
If you check the engine oil on an unlevel surface, the reading can be skewed. This can cause the oil level to appear higher or lower than it actually is.
Step 2: Pop The Hood
In order to access the engine oil dipstick, you’ll need to open the hood. The hood release on most vehicles is located around the driver’s foot well on the left-hand side near the kick panel.
Step 3: Remove And Inspect The Dipstick
Locate the engine oil dipstick. The dipstick is how you can see the exact oil level and how much oil to add to your car. Engine oil dipsticks are typically orange or yellow, and they might even say ‘engine oil’ directly on them. If you are having a hard time locating your dipstick, refer to your owner’s manual and service information when possible.
Step 4: Remove Oil Cap And Add Oil
If you find your engine oil is below the recommended level, you’ll need to add oil to your engine. Unlike automatic transmission fluid, engine oil is added through the oil cap, not the dipstick tube. Be sure to use the correct oil designated by the manufacturer as the oil type and weight can affect the efficiency of the engine.
Take care not to overfill your engine.
How Much Oil Does My Car Need?
Jared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet
The exact amount of oil your engine needs is dictated by the manufacturer. We always recommend consulting your owners’ manual or the factory service information when determining the exact oil capacity of your engine.
Determining Oil Level Via Dipstick
When it comes to setting the engine oil level, we recommend using the capacity specification from the manufacturer or the dipstick. Not all vehicles are equipped with a dipstick. However, the vast majority are. Engine oil dipsticks are typically orange or yellow and some even say “engine oil” on them.
Determining Oil Level By Capacity
When it comes to filling an engine after a service (oil and filter change), you should refer to the manufacturers’ designated engine oil capacity. This specification can be found in the owner’s manual and from the manufacturer’s service information. We then recommend verifying the oil level with the dipstick to top up the engine oil when needed. Below are various make/model oil capacities for several popular models.
Engine Oil Capacity Comparison
Make/Model
Engine
Engine Oil Capacity (Qts.)
Honda Civic
2.0L 4-Cylinder
4.4
Toyota RAV4
2.5L 4-Cylinder
4.8
5.0L V8
7.75
Subaru Forester
2.5L 4-Cylinder
4.4
Nissan Sentra
2.0L 4-Cylinder
4 3/8
Jeep Grand Cherokee
3.6L 6-Cylinder
6
Chevy Equinox
1.5L 4-Cylinder
5.3
*All oil capacities were taken from ALLDATA for the 2021 model year and includes changing the oil filter.
How Much Does It Cost To Add Or Change Engine Oil?
When it comes to adding oil to your engine, we believe this is a job just about anyone can handle. Engine oil typically costs between $5 and $15 per quart of oil. How much it will cost to add oil to your car will vary based on the amount of oil needed and the oil type that is required by your engine. According to RepairPal, the average oil change will cost between $130 and $145. We always encourage customers to replace the engine oil, oil filter, and the drain plug gasket at the recommended manufacturer service intervals.
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