Engine Oil level question

[Chickensoup]

I did my servicing last week. The mechanic didn't pour all the 4L of EO into the engine. I asked him why and he said my engine oil total capacity only 3.96L (as stated in the manual), so no need to put in 4L. I check the dipstick and it was showing at 3/4 mark level.

 

I always tot the dipstick should be at the MAX level. So was my mechanic right? Anyone can advise?

No right and no wrong. Most of the time we tend to fill max because we expect the engine to consume some oil before the next oil change.

If you are confident that there will be no oil loss till next service, fill till min. It will save 1L of oil per service and no harm to the engine. As long as the oil pump can suck oil to spray within the engine no difference.

[Adrianli]

for bigger heavy duty industrial diesel engines, some dipsticks came with 2 sets of readings. One side for cold reading and another side for taking readings while engine is still running on idling speed.

 

For our petrol engines, its cold reading.

 

Yes. Thatz why I mentioned to ensure oil level is at H level or slightly above H level when engine is cold, before started. All the oil should be in the sump with little residue in the various lubrication location. This is the most accurate way to tell how much oil is in the engine.

 

When engine is running, the oil level will drop cos the oil is being pumped to various locations for lubrication. U should not be having a H level reading when engine is running. Cos when its stopped all the oil will return to the sump thus there will be a higher than normal reading.

 

U will also need to consider whether ur engine is running on wet sump or dry sump.

[TVT]

Yes. Thatz why I mentioned to ensure oil level is at H level or slightly above H level when engine is cold, before started. All the oil should be in the sump with little residue in the various lubrication location. This is the most accurate way to tell how much oil is in the engine.

 

U will also need to consider whether ur engine is running on wet sump or dry sump.

So I better top it up to MAX?

 

Btw, what is wet sump and dry sump?

[Adrianli]

So I better top it up to MAX?

 

Btw, what is wet sump and dry sump?

 

Top till max when engine is cold or not running for a while.

 

 

Read here : http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/38...ifferences.aspx

[5936]

Found this page from one my basic maintenance manual.

First lesson - check engine oil level.

Hope it will benefit some drivers here.

 

[Adrianli]

Found this page from one my basic maintenance manual.

First lesson - check engine oil level.

Hope it will benefit some drivers here.

 

Same as what I mentioned.

[Keithchue]

bros, just asking, from the article, all engines consume engine oil, 0.2-0.5l. so does that mean that our engines is normal to consume EO?

mine will return 2.7l after 10k of usage. does this seem low or normal?

[Keithchue]

bros, just asking, from the article, all engines consume engine oil, 0.2-0.5l. so does that mean that our engines is normal to consume EO?

mine will return 2.7l after 10k of usage. does this seem low or normal?

[TVT]

Found this page from one my basic maintenance manual.

First lesson - check engine oil level.

Hope it will benefit some drivers here.

The article says the level "should be towards the max", it didn't say it must be at the MAX leh. It also say oil level above MAX is not "desirable".

 

Aiyoh, so many school of thoughts, so confusing!

[Kangadrool]

The article says the level "should be towards the max", it didn't say it must be at the MAX leh. It also say oil level above MAX is not "desirable".

 

Aiyoh, so many school of thoughts, so confusing!

 

Use common sense will do.

 

The min and max marking is there for a reason. Just have it towards the max marking, but not over.

[Yewheng]

The article says the level "should be towards the max", it didn't say it must be at the MAX leh. It also say oil level above MAX is not "desirable".

 

Aiyoh, so many school of thoughts, so confusing!

 

Just remember, when engine cold, pour towards max, when engine is hot, pour slightly lower level till about 3/4 mark.

 

Yeah and max level is not :desirable" in a sense that if engine oil is over filled, than it's no good for engine.

 

Just my 2 cents.

Edited August 19, 2012 by Yewheng

[Club21z]

anything between min to max is fine, did not notice any performance diff for oil level.

 

[Duskyoa]

3/4 mark towards the H mark will do. Try not fill to the line as engine heats up, the oil expands and may overflow.

 

The front number of the engine denodes the starting temperature but it has not effect in our climate. So safely, you can ignore the front set of numbers on the engine oil.

 

What you have to be concern is the back which is 30, 40 or 50. The smaller means the thinner the oil.

 

Importantly, follow the specs in your car manual provided when you purchased the car. Follow it. If your car starts out with 30 and as years go by, the engine gets nosier, you can actually move to the 40 grade, which is thicker and lubricates of a smoother ride

 

 

[TVT]

What you have to be concern is the back which is 30, 40 or 50. The smaller means the thinner the oil.

 

Importantly, follow the specs in your car manual provided when you purchased the car. Follow it. If your car starts out with 30 and as years go by, the engine gets nosier, you can actually move to the 40 grade, which is thicker and lubricates of a smoother ride

But some say a thicker oil would increase FC. How significant is this saying I am not too sure.

[Duskyoa]

But some say a thicker oil would increase FC. How significant is this saying I am not too sure.

 

Yes and no. Depending on how old is your engine.

 

When your engine is new, everything is tight, so a thinner oil is needed so the friction is not great.

 

BUt as the years passed and your mileage increases, the wear and tear of engine parts is increased. The gaps in between the engine parts is also bigger, thus the thinner oil will not be sufficient to lub the parts. Thus a thicker pool is needed. The maximum for normal use is 40.

 

50 is not recommended for cars.

 

It is used only for racing where high temp is present and only for lorries only.

 

 

[Adrianli]

Yes and no. Depending on how old is your engine.

 

When your engine is new, everything is tight, so a thinner oil is needed so the friction is not great.

 

BUt as the years passed and your mileage increases, the wear and tear of engine parts is increased. The gaps in between the engine parts is also bigger, thus the thinner oil will not be sufficient to lub the parts. Thus a thicker pool is needed. The maximum for normal use is 40.

 

50 is not recommended for cars.

 

It is used only for racing where high temp is present and only for lorries only.

 

I used to use 20W50 mineral oil for my COE honda civic GL car and it gave me 12km/L constantly. Every 5K servicing at Stamford Tyre.

[Duskyoa]

I used to use 20W50 mineral oil for my COE honda civic GL car and it gave me 12km/L constantly. Every 5K servicing at Stamford Tyre.

 

Haha. If yours is a COE car, then maybe......coz the gap in between the parts is probably very wide by now.

 

Mobil 1?

[Adrianli]

Haha. If yours is a COE car, then maybe......coz the gap in between the parts is probably very wide by now.

 

Mobil 1?

 

Nope, was using Castrol.