Faced with the need to change engine oil, motorists do not always know how much capacity to buy. The volume of oil in the engine for each brand of car is individual. Let's talk about how the level of the oil film is determined, why it is replaced, and how much oil is poured under the hood of the car.
Before moving on to the main question, let's determine why engine oil is poured under the hood of the car. The fact is that during the operation of the entire propulsion system, each of its metal elements is subjected to large temperature overloads: the rapid interaction of parts causes a high friction force, which has a destructive effect on the entire motor. The lubricant, which has a viscosity determined by the manufacturer, fills all the gaps between the elements, thereby activating the protective layer between them. Thus, the friction force is reduced, the temperature inside the housing returns to normal, and the entire unit operates with a maximum resource.
Engine oil change
Carrying out car maintenance without changing the oil is not reasonable. It must be updated regularly, and the frequency of such a procedure depends on many factors. For example, if you are going to pour mineral oil under the hood, its beneficial effects, subject to a calm driving style, will disappear after 5-6 thousand kilometers. Love aggressive driving? The oil will last much less. Semi-synthetics roll back a little more than 8 thousand km, but high-quality synthetics, at best, will serve the car no more than 15 thousand km. Thus, the replacement interval depends on the chemical base, driving style, operating conditions and the “age” of the car.
How is the fluid changed?
If you are faced with this task for the first time, then here are some tips for you:
- Place the machine on a level surface. The ideal option is a garage pit or overpass.
- Before draining the fluid, drive the car around the city or highway for 30-40 minutes so that the operating temperature is established inside the propulsion system.
- Change the oil filter every time you change the oil.
- Removal of old oil is done by unscrewing the oil filler neck at the top of the engine and pulling out the drain plug under the machine. The crankcase protection must be removed before replacement.
- It is not recommended to use devices for “express replacement” too often: they do not draw out the entire amount of lubricant, leaving part of the working fluid at the bottom of the unit. As a result, obsolete and new fluids are mixed, which leads to a decrease in engine life.
How to check the oil level correctly
It is necessary to measure the oil in any engine with a special oil dipstick, which is located in the sealed hole on the cylinder block allotted for it. On the outside, it has a plastic handle designed for easy tool removal. On the other side, immersed in the oil bath of the crankcase, there are marks for measuring the liquid level.
Liquid level measurement is carried out according to the following scheme:
Checking the engine oil level
- place the car on a level surface. This is important because if it is tilted, the liquid level may be distorted.
- Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. The rag should not have dirt, woolen threads and other “little things” that can later get into the motor with a probe.
- we lower the probe into the hole until it stops, wait 3-5 seconds and pull it out to the surface.
- evaluate the result.
What level of engine oil should be in the engine? Regardless of the brand of the machine, its position in the middle, between the “min” and “max” dipstick marks, is considered the optimal level.
Important! The thickness of the oil layer should be measured on a cold or slightly cooled motor. If you traveled around the city all day, stopped and immediately decided to measure the fuel level, the result will be far from reality. The fact is that in a hot system, the oil is distributed over the working units, and not concentrated in the lower part of the crankcase. Thus, the measurement will give incorrect information about its quantity. Let the car rest for 15-20 minutes, and after that arm yourself with a probe.
By the way, after removing the dipstick, you can also assess the condition of the oil itself. If it contains third-party impurities, or its viscosity does not meet the required one, then it's time to think about the maintenance of the motor.
It is recommended to check the condition and oil level during daily operation at least once a week. Such a measure will allow timely prevention of possible problems in the operation of the system and troubleshooting.
Why is the minimum oil level in the engine dangerous?
By measuring the amount of oil filled with a dipstick, you may find that its amount does not reach the “min” mark. Why is it dangerous? The fact is that a low level of lubricating fluid cannot provide the necessary protection for all elements of the engine structure. In other words, the thickness of the oil film will be much less than required, and, possibly, it will not be able to form at all, thereby increasing the “dry” friction of the mechanisms. Rapid wear of working units, an increase in temperature inside the unit housing and jamming of the crankshaft are the main consequences of an insufficient oil level.
A sharp decrease in fluid due to motor problems that have arisen helps to diagnose the oil pressure light located on the dashboard of any car. However, its activation occurs only if the leak is large-scale. If there is not enough 200-300 ml of lubricant in the case, you can find out about this only with the help of a probe.
The symptoms of a low oil level are as follows:
- the appearance of extraneous noise in the operation of the car,
- clearly distinguishable knock in hydraulic compressors,
- excessive increase in the temperature of the oil fluid and the constant operation of cooling radiators.
If the reason for the low filling volume lies in the elementary underfilling of oil, then it is easy to solve it - add the required volume so that the oil level on the dipstick is between the “min” and “max” marks. However, if you notice a regular shortage of fuel and lubricant, then there is a hidden problem here. You can diagnose it yourself or by resorting to the help of auto repair shops.
Why the engine “eats” oil: the main reasons
Engine oil in the engine
Do not close your eyes to excessive oil consumption. Yes, you can constantly top it up, trying to delay the diagnosis, but such a measure will not solve the problem. Moreover, it can “transform” into an expensive repair. How to understand what is the reason for such a leak?
First of all, you should pay attention to the color of the exhaust gases. If there is a barely noticeable “blue” in them, then the point here is in the oil scraper rings. Replace them with new ones, and the need for topping up oil will disappear.
If everything is fine with the rings, check the condition of the seals and gaskets. Their incorrect installation or elementary wear can cause leaks, which can be found under the valve cover or at the junction of the crankcase and cylinder block.
The oil volume in the engine can also constantly decrease due to damage to the crankshaft or camshaft oil seals. In this case, the symptomatology will be supplemented by oil marks on the asphalt or garage floor after a long period of inactivity of the car.
A noticeable disappearance of fuel and lubricants may also be associated with a mismatch between its viscosity and the requirements established by the vehicle manufacturer. If the condition of the car is beyond doubt, seals and gaskets are in working order, and oil consumption continues to increase, then the problem lies in its viscosity index. Take a look at the car manual or contact the official representative of your car brand and ask what brand of fluid you need to fill under the hood.
In addition to the above reasons, a regular decrease in fluid volume occurs with the following malfunctions:
- leakage of the oil level sensor,
- oil filter installed incorrectly
- the drain plug is not fully inserted or is damaged,
- the ventilation level of the system is insufficient to completely remove the exhaust gases from the crankcase (excessive gas increases the pressure in the propulsion system, displacing the lubricant).
At first glance, it seems that the problems are not so critical, however, long-term operation of a car with such malfunctions can adversely affect its resource. Therefore, it is easier to carry out diagnostics of the car in time and appropriate repairs if necessary, than later to save money for the expensive restoration of an iron friend.
On a note! Problems with excessive oil consumption may not be problems at all, but an acceptable norm. This situation occurs in vehicles equipped with a turbocharger. It is recommended to check the lubrication level in a turbocharged engine every 5-7 days.
Too high oil level: good or bad?
Let's talk about the situation when the liquid level on the dipstick is above the “max” mark. And the reason for this may be the intentional overflow of fuel and lubricants, the carelessness of the motorist, insufficient warming up of the car before changing the oil, etc. But first things first.
Many drivers believe that the more oil in the engine of the car, the more power it gives out. This opinion is wrong. If there is too much lubricant, the engine will simply “choke”. By the way, intentional oil overflow also takes place in situations where the structure has leaks and the driver simply tries to immediately compensate for future losses.
Failure to comply with the required amount of oil may be caused by inattention or ignorance of the principle of its filling. Even after the last drop (as it seems to you) flows out of the crankcase, 200-300 ml of oil protection will remain in it (it can be completely removed only when disassembling the engine). Therefore, it is not recommended to fill fuel and lubricants into the engine (knowing in theory how much oil is needed for a given brand), focusing only on the marks of the canister.
An insufficiently warmed up engine can play a cruel joke on you and “not give” you all the liquid while draining it. The operating temperature inside the unit improves the circulation of the mixture and facilitates its replacement.
Engine oil
Overflow can be diagnosed with a dipstick or excessive fuel consumption. The last reason may be due to the fact that too thick a layer of the working film will resist the moving parts of the engine. Difficulty turning the crankshaft will cause a decrease in torque and, as a result, a drop in vehicle power. To achieve fast acceleration, the driver will press harder on the gas pedal, but he will achieve nothing but increased fuel consumption.
Among the consequences of liquid overflow, I would like to dwell on the most frequent ones. These include:
- difficult starting of the engine. As mentioned above, due to the large amount of lubricant, the engine will “choke”.
- malfunction of hydraulic compressors.
- increase in pressure inside the propulsion system.
- excessive load on the oil pump, which is dangerous for its rapid wear.
- the appearance of abundant deposits and soot in the working area and further contamination of the oil.
- an increase in the concentration of harmful impurities in exhaust gases.
- filling spark plugs.
How to reduce the amount of oil in the engine?
Fluid levels can be lowered in the following ways:
- Drain the fuel through the drain plug. It is important to be careful here. Pulling it out of a hot engine can result in severe burns. This method requires special care also because you can miss the moment and drain much more than the required volume. The procedure is carried out in a pit or overpass.
- “Suck out” the oil through the dipstick hole. This is done with a self-contained pumping equipment designed for “express replacement”, or with a syringe and a long rubber tube.
- We turn to the service center for help. Experts know how much oil to fill in the engine, so they will set the optimal level for your car.
How much oil should be poured into the engine?
There is no single answer to this question. The fact is that, due to design differences, all cars need a different amount of lubricating fluid. Yes, manufacturers indicate in the instruction manual how much oil should be poured into the engine. But this information is relevant only for the very first filling, which is carried out after the car leaves the assembly line.
Engine oil
During engine operation, most of the oil is distributed on the surfaces of the parts, so even after complete draining, an unchanged part of the liquid remains in the system. You can remove it only if you dare to disassemble the motor into parts. It is not possible to do this with every oil change. And reasonable.
So what to do, how to determine how much oil should be poured into the engine? When pouring a new fuel and lubricant, you need to rely not on the canister marks and manufacturer's parameters, but on the readings of the oil dipstick. Also, you can’t be guided “by eye”, even if you “remember perfectly how much oil your car engine needs.” Failure to comply with the required amount of fluid can cause a serious problem with the engine in the future.
Unfortunately, the dipstick cannot tell you how much fluid you need to purchase from the store in order to perform one maintenance. It only informs you in fact about a sufficient or insufficient amount.
In order to roughly estimate how much capacity you need, you need to know the volume of the power unit of your car. The table below shows the approximate amount of protective film required to achieve the optimum level.
| The volume of the power unit, l | Amount of required oil, l |
|---|---|
| 1,6 | 3,3-4,0 |
| 1,8 | 3,7-4,2 |
| 1,9 | 3,9-4,3 |
| 2,0 | 3,9-4,5 |
| 2,2 | 4,0-5,6 |
| 2,5 | 4,0-5,7 |
| 3,0 | 4,7-7,7 |
| 4,0 | 7,0-9,5 |
| 4,4 | 7,4-9,7 |
| 5,5 | 7,5-10,0 |
And finally
The oil level necessary for the productive operation of the engine system is always located between the maximum and minimum divisions of the dipstick. It is this position that is guaranteed to increase the engine resource, protect parts from rapid wear and give the car optimal fuel consumption. If you notice that the amount of lubricant is constantly decreasing and the regularity of topping up is beyond the acceptable range, then it's time to check the condition of the car.
You should also avoid exceeding the “max” mark. You don't want to be without wheels, do you? Thus, in the matter of the volume of oily liquid, the “golden mean” rule should be followed.
The main parameter when choosing engine oil is its degree of viscosity. Many motorists have heard this term, met it on the labels of oil canisters, but not everyone knows what the numbers and letters depicted there mean, and why it is necessary to use this process fluid with a certain degree of viscosity on a certain motor. Today we will reveal the secrets of the viscosity of motor oils.
First of all, let's determine the significance of the degree of viscosity of the oil for the engine. There are many parts in the engine that come into contact with each other during operation. In a “dry” engine, the operation of such parts will not last long, because due to mutual friction they wear out and fail relatively quickly. Therefore, engine oil is poured into the engine - a technical fluid that covers all rubbing parts with an oil film and protects them from friction and wear. Each oil has its own degree of viscosity - that is, the state in which the oil remains thin enough to perform its main function (lubricating the working parts of the engine). As you know, unlike the coolant, the temperature of which is always stable during driving and is at the level of 85-90 degrees, engine oil is more susceptible to external and internal temperatures, the fluctuations of which are very significant (under certain operating conditions, the engine oil heats up to 150 degrees).
To avoid boiling oil, which can cause damage to the engine of the machine, specialists in the manufacture of this technical fluid determine its viscosity - that is, the ability to remain in working condition when exposed to critical temperatures. For the first time, oil viscosity grades were determined by the American Association of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It is this abbreviation that is found on the packages of oil. It is followed by numbers separated by the Latin letter W (it means the suitability of engine oil to work at low temperatures) - for example, 10W-40.
In this series of numbers, 10W denotes low-temperature viscosity - the temperature threshold at which a car engine filled with this oil can start “cold”, and the oil pump will pump the technical fluid without the threat of dry friction of engine parts. In this example, the minimum temperature is “-30” (we subtract 40 from the number in front of the letter W), while, subtracting the number 35 from the number 10, we get “-25” - this is the so-called critical temperature at which the starter can crank the engine and start. At this temperature, the oil becomes thick, but its viscosity is still enough to lubricate the rubbing parts of the engine. Thus, the larger the number in front of the letter W, the lower the sub-zero temperature, the oil will be able to pass through the pump and provide “support” to the starter. If the letter W is preceded by 0, then this means that the oil will be pumped by the pump at a temperature of "-40", and the starter will spin the engine at the lowest possible temperature of "-35" - of course, given the viability of the battery and serviceability.
The number "40" after the letter W in our example indicates high temperature viscosity - a parameter that determines the minimum and maximum viscosity of the oil at its operating temperatures (from 100 to 150 degrees). It is believed that the higher the number after the letter W, the higher the viscosity of the engine oil at the specified operating temperatures. The precise information on which high-temperature viscosity oil is required for a particular engine is exclusively available to the vehicle manufacturer. So we recommend that you follow the automaker's requirements for engine oils, which are usually indicated in the instruction manual.
The degree of viscosity of the oil is determined according to the accepted international nomenclature SAE J300, in which oils are divided into three types according to the degree of viscosity: winter, summer and all-weather. According to the degree of viscosity, winter oils include liquids with parameters SAE 0W, SAE 5W, SAE 10W, SAE 15W, SAE 20W. Summer oils in terms of viscosity include liquids with SAE 20, SAE 30, SAE 40, SAE 50, SAE 60 parameters. SAE 5W-30, SAE 5W-40, SAE 10W-30, SAE 10W-40, SAE 15W-40, SAE 20W-40. They are the most practical of all, as their temperature parameters are optimally balanced for use at various critical temperatures.
To select the oil with the optimum viscosity grade for your engine, you need to follow two rules.
1. The choice of the degree of viscosity of the oil according to climatic conditions. It is no secret that oil with the same viscosity grade (for example, SAE 0W-40) will behave differently when the car is operated in a region of the country with a hot or, conversely, cold climate. Therefore, when choosing an oil, you need to remember that the higher the air temperature in the region in which the car is operated, the higher the viscosity grade of the engine oil should be, which can be determined by the number in front of the letter W. Here are the temperature conditions under which it is recommended to use oil with varying degrees of viscosity:
SAE 0W-30 - -30° to +20°C;
SAE 0W-40 - -30° to +35°C;
SAE 5W-30 - -25° to +20°C;
SAE 5W-40 - -25° to +35°C;
SAE 10W-30 - -20° to +30°C;
SAE 10W-40 - -20° to +35°C;
SAE 15W-40 - -15° to +45°C;
SAE 20W-40 - -10° to +45°C.
2.The choice of the degree of viscosity of the oil according to the term. The older the car, the more the rubbing pairs wear out in it - parts that come into contact with each other during the operation of the power unit, and the gaps between them increase. Accordingly, in order for these parts to continue to perform their functions, it is necessary that the oil film on their surfaces be more viscous. That is, for engines that have worked out half of their resource, it is necessary to buy oils with a higher degree of viscosity, and for new ones - with a lower one.
Often there are situations when the driver does not know how much oil to fill in the engine. After all, the amount of oil solution to be poured or the need to completely replace it depends on many factors. This indicator is different for each engine.
How much oil should be poured into the engine
It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question. Vehicles of different manufacturers and brands have their own design of the lubrication system. In addition to the crankcase, the oily liquid is in the pipeline, crankshaft, and other components. How many liters of oil you need to fill in your own engine can be found in the instruction manual. This is true when it is necessary to fill in the lubricant for the first time. The manufacturer indicates the proper refueling rate if the power unit is hollow, only assembled.
After draining the oil solution from the system, some of it remains not drained. This is 300-500 grams of lubricant. It is possible to determine how many liters of oil to fill in a car engine by following the recommendations developed for this. The engines of domestic cars, with a volume of 1.8 to 2.4 liters, can enter from 3.5 to 4.0 liters of oily fluid. The same imported power units will include from 4.0 to 4.3 liters of lubricant. To determine how much oil is filled in the engine, you must use the dipstick and perform several steps:
- It is necessary to initially pour 3.5-3.8 liters of lubricant into the filler neck.
- Wait 2-3 minutes and check the level of the lubricant solution with a dipstick.
- If the value is insufficient, then it is necessary to add 100-200 grams and check the degree of dressing again.
The procedure must be repeated until the desired filling rate is reached. When pouring lubricant, you must remember that it is better to add little by little than to get it right away. Reverse pumping of lubricant from the system is a very problematic task. If the lubricant enters too much, it will flood the engine parts and units near it. This will lead to foaming of the oil and hard work of the power unit. If the filling rate is less than the norm, rubbing components and parts will wear out quickly.
The required rate of lubrication can be set out in a cheat sheet.
| The volume of the power plant, l | Engine oil volume, l | |
| Domestic units | Foreign units | |
| 1.6 | 3.3-4.0 | 3.5-4.2 |
| 1.8 | 3.6-4.1 | 3.8-4.3 |
| 2.0 | 3.9-4.4 | 4.0-4.5 |
| 2.2 | 4.0-5.5 | 4.2-5.6 |
| 2.5 | 4.0-5.7 | 4.2-5.8 |
| 3.0 | 4.5-7.5 | 4.6-7.7 |
| 4.0 | 7.0-8.5 | 7.2-8.7 |
| 4.4 | 7.5-9.5 | 7.7-9.7 |
| 5.5 | 8.0-10.0 | 8.2-10.2 |
To avoid doubts and find out exactly how much lubricant goes for the vehicle, you can contact the specialists at the service station.
Determine the oil level - methods
To find out the amount of oil in a car engine, several requirements must be met. They are required:
- the vehicle must be parked on a level surface;
- the power unit must be cool. If the check is carried out after the vehicle has stopped, then it is necessary to wait 15-20 minutes. During this time, the temperature of the starting unit will decrease, the pressure in the lubrication system will drop, and the oil solution will drain into the crankcase;
- the lubricant level must be measured with a standard dipstick.
Marks are filled on the surface of the probe: min and max. They indicate the minimum and maximum allowable filling volume of oil in a car engine. The process of determining the level of lubrication consists of the following points:
- The dipstick must be removed from its original place and wiped off the remaining grease from it with a clean rag.
- Install the measuring rod in its original place.
- Remove the meter again and inspect the oil layer. It should be between the min and max marks.
- If the lubrication layer is below the minimum mark, then an oil solution must be added to the lubrication system.
- When the lubrication level is above the maximum mark, it is necessary to drain excess lubrication from the system.
At the present time, almost all cars are equipped with computer systems for alerting the presence of an oil solution and its consumption. It is not recommended to completely trust computer data. Sometimes, especially before and after a long trip, it is necessary to check the lubrication level indicator in the power plant yourself.
Intervals when replacement is required
In the service book for the vehicle, the mileage is determined, after which the lubricant solution is replaced. In the absence of a heavy operating mode, driving on a highway outside the city, the mileage between lubricant changes can be up to 15,000 km. The operation of transport in the city stream will reduce the mileage to 9000-11000 km. But even these data are not completely accurate, since some factors affect the state of the lubricant, which include:
- The type and quality of the fuel being filled.
- The volume of the power plant.
- The type of lubricant that was previously filled in and its condition.
- Operating hours worked by the engine.
- The technical condition of the vehicle.
- Operating conditions of the vehicle and operating modes of the power plant.
These factors can change the quality of the lubricant. The loss of lubricant characteristics will lead to rapid wear of the power plant. In such a situation, an analysis of the oil solution carried out in the laboratory can give an accurate answer about the quality of the lubricant and the need to replace it.
Engine oil mileage
The need to replace the oil solution in the engine can be calculated without contacting laboratory specialists. For this, it is fashionable to use two calculation methods: by engine hours and by fuel consumption.
The need to replace the engine hours
The initial data are the stable average speed of the vehicle in the city, the manufacturer's recommendations for changing the lubricant. Let's say the speed in the city is 40 km / h, and the factory's recommendation for replacement is 15,000 km.
To calculate engine hours, you need to divide the distance by the speed limit. In this situation, 15000/40=375 m/h. The resulting value means that after 375 hours of operation of the power plant, it is necessary to change the oil.
The API international standard has developed a summary table for changing oils, depending on their type and engine life.
Let's assume that the vehicle engine was filled with an SL / SM oil solution with a working resource of 330 hours. To determine the mileage, you need to multiply 330 mph by an average traffic of 40 km/h. As a result, we get the mileage until the next lubrication change of 13200 km.
The need to replace the fuel consumption
The initial data should be fuel consumption per 100 km of movement according to passport data and actual. For example, according to the passport, the consumption is 9 liters per 100 km, and the actual consumption is 11 liters. According to the passport, an oil change should be carried out after 15,000 km of the car.
The calculation of fuel consumption is carried out using the proportion method for passport and actual data separately. For passport data: 15000x9 / 100 = 1350 liters. For actual data: 15000x11/100=1650 liters.
The actual distance through which it is necessary to fill in new oil is calculated by a similar proportion: 1350x15000/1650 = 12270 km.
Each of the methods can be used for any vehicle. It is only necessary to record the data at the time of filling the lubricant into the motor.
Summing up
In order to determine how much oil you need to fill in a car engine, you must follow a few recommendations:
- Choose a car oil for a vehicle that will be constant throughout its entire operation. The lubricant must be selected taking into account the operating conditions of the vehicle.
- If the vehicle is actively used, check the degree of oil filling with a dipstick at least once every 3-4 days.
- Keep an eye on the inter-run period for changing lubricants.
- Carry out engine lubrication in accordance with the technology. Do not overfill or overfill the solution.
- In the absence of experience, knowledge or doubt, contact a service station that has the necessary equipment. Specialists will carry out the necessary work with the engine, regardless of whether it is diesel or gasoline.
An internal combustion engine cannot run without lubrication. Moreover, it must be changed periodically. Ideally, the technical documentation contains data on the volume of oil in the engine, its specification, and the frequency of replacement.
As long as the car is under warranty, this is a problem of service centers (except for your costs for regulations). At the end of the warranty "bondage", many owners switch to self-service.
In principle, in order to correctly select the amount of oil, you do not need to graduate from an automotive college. Nevertheless, this question confuses many drivers even at the stage of buying consumables. And the seller will gladly give you a couple of extra liters with the words: “it is better to overfill than underfill.”
How much oil should be in the engine according to the standards?
The question is far from idle. Even if you are a “blonde on a red car”, when you arrive at an authorized service, it is advisable to know how much oil you need to fill in the engine. Scam managers can easily write you 8 liters, instead of the prescribed 4, and you just pay for the air.
And if you are doing the maintenance yourself, all the more you need to know the information. At the same time, it is enough to get it once - the amount of oil in the engine will not change.
There are several ways to determine how much oil is required for a change in a particular engine:
If none of the above methods fit, it remains to measure the amount of mining.
Important! This method only works if the oil level was normal before changing.
After making sure that the level trace is not lower than the corresponding mark on the dipstick, substitute a container of at least 5 liters under the crankcase (for an engine with a volume of not more than 3.0 liters).
Drain all the oil from the crankcase, unscrew the filter, and pour its contents into the same container. You will receive an approximate amount of lubricant (excluding the remaining on the inner walls of the engine).
After that, you need to purchase the required amount of consumable with a margin of 0.5 - 1.0 liters as soon as possible (you should still have a small margin for interservice topping up). While you are shopping, it is recommended to close the filler and drain, and in no case start the engine without lubrication.
What is the danger of overfilling or underfilling
There are 2 marks on the dipstick: "min" and "max" 
It is important to understand that these values \u200b\u200bare not related to the degree of engine warm-up.(as opposed to the marks on the coolant expansion tank). The volume of engine oil in the engine is measured only "cold".
After the trip (when the engine warms up), the car is installed on a flat area, and you have to wait at least 15-20 minutes. The ideal option is to measure the level in the garage in the morning, before leaving. Then the motor will cool down, and all the grease will drain to the bottom of the crankcase.
The dipstick is removed from the engine, wiped dry, inserted back, and removed again. The oil trace must be strictly between the marks.
Overflow leads to the following problems:
- the oil touches the hot cavity of the cylinders, foams and burns out;
- oil scraper rings on the pistons coke;
- oil seals and gaskets receive additional stress (due to pressure), and fail prematurely;
- oil enters the breather fitting, mixes with dust, and creates a tight plug.
The excess will sooner or later be squeezed out from under the gaskets, or simply burn out, leaving behind a layer of slag inside the motor. In this case, you pay for the extra volume.
Underfilling is no less dangerous:
- the oil intake pipe may “grab air”, which will lead to oil starvation;
- the crankshaft will not receive a solid oil stain at friction points, which will lead to scoring;
- insufficient amount of liquid reduces the degree of cooling of parts inside the crankcase.
What will happen to the engine if the oil is not added to the required volume - video
Therefore, it is necessary not only to know how much oil should be poured into the engine, but also to constantly monitor its level.
Causes of excessive oil consumption
Among car owners, the question often arises: how much oil is needed for topping up between replacements? There is no single answer to this question. In the maintenance instructions for some cars, there is information that the so-called. oil consumption "for waste" is acceptable, indicating the quantity.
Practice shows that a serviceable engine consumes an amount that does not exceed the remaining oil when changing (provided that you knew how much to pour and bought the exact amount). 
When draining the waste, about 10% of the amount remains, that is how much oil will remain in the tank.
And if the motor is worn out, the overrun occurs for the following reasons:
- oil scraper rings are stuck or need to be replaced due to wear;
- valve seals (valve seals) are hardened or worn out;
- the tightness of the cylinder head gasket is broken, the lubricant enters the coolant;
- there are leaks from the sump gasket or glands.
How many liters of oil to buy to fill in the engine - video
Conclusion:
Having received information on how many liters of oil to fill in the engine, you will not fall for the deception of a car service, and you will not overpay extra money when replacing it yourself. Engine displacement is not directly related to the amount of lubricant.
There is some connection with the number of cylinders (longer crankshaft, and therefore increased crankcase capacity).
You can take the exact data, how much you need to fill in your model, from the documentation, or by determining it empirically. The methods are described in our material.
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17.04.2018, 16:17 19593 0 Assembly of Motorists
It would seem that the answer to the question of how much oil to pour into the engine is the simplest - pour according to the instructions and that's it. However, everything is not as simple as it seems at first glance. There are a number of dependencies and technicalities to be aware of. The question of how much oil should be poured into the engine today, when it is time to switch to the summer brand, is especially relevant.
Its deficiency leads to oil starvation of the power unit, which entails a high probability of jammed pistons, turned liners and other serious problems that directly affect the performance of the power unit. Therefore, in addition to getting an answer to the question of how many liters of oil to pour into the engine, you must constantly monitor the level and it is advisable to carry a spare liter with you just in case. Some drivers rely entirely on the oil pressure indicator light, but be aware that when it comes on, in many cases it already indicates a malfunction.
Indeed, you can find recommendations on the required amount of lubricant in the power unit of a particular brand of car in the attached instruction manual. It should be borne in mind that the manufacturer indicates the full volume. This means that the technical literature indicates the amount of lubricant that is needed for a freshly assembled motor. As for the replacement, then its volume should be slightly less. The fact is that when replacing, it is impossible to completely drain all the "working out", because part of it remains in the crankcase, hard-to-reach cavities and on the parts of the power unit. As a rule, about half a liter remains. The conclusion is simple - you do not need to completely fill the entire volume indicated in the manual, but control the level with a dipstick or indicators on the dashboard, which are available in some brands of cars.
How much oil should be poured into the engine with an instruction manual is now clear. But if there is no "smart" book, what to do? In this case, specialized sites can come to the rescue, which you will have to look for, or some expert advice outlined below.
What determines the required amount of lubricant in the motor?
It must be understood that the power and type of engine affect the amount of oil needed. For example, it is obvious that a diesel engine with a capacity of 300 hp. will require significantly more lubrication than a 112 hp gasoline one, not to mention, for example, the Oka, whose power is much less and only 2.5 liters are required.
In addition to the power of the power unit, the amount of lubrication, of course, is affected by the engine size, the number of cylinders, the degree of forcing and other technical points. Therefore, the filling volume of lubricant for a gasoline engine with a volume of, for example, 2 liters may differ. So in a car with a power unit of 2 liters of one manufacturer, it is necessary to fill in 4.2 liters, while in a power unit with the same volume from another manufacturer, 4.6 liters may be required. In addition, it must be understood that in diesel engines there is always more lubrication than in gasoline engines, and for a conventional “diesel” volume of 2 liters, 5.5 liters will be required.
The differences are clearly visible between the cars of the domestic auto industry and "foreigners". For example, in VAZ power units with volumes ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 liters, you need to fill in about 3-3.5 liters, and with the same volumes of Skoda or Toyota engines, about 4.5 liters will be required.
All these considerations give basic ideas about the dependencies of the amount of lubricant, but do not answer specific questions, for example, how much oil to pour into a VAZ engine of a particular brand or popular foreign cars. And there are always many such questions.
Experts have prepared several answers to the most popular questions and hope that they will help many motorists.
How much oil to pour into the Priora engine and power units of other popular AvtoVAZ models when replacing it?
car brand | Engine volume | Oil quantity |
Priora sedan | ||
Largus | ||
2121 Niva |
How much oil to pour into the engine 1.6, 1.8 and other volumes of the most popular foreign cars in Russia?
car brand | Engine volume | Oil quantity |
Ford Focus | 1.6 TDCi | |
Ford Focus | 2.0 TDCi | |
Toyota Corolla E12 | ||
Toyota Corolla E12 | ||
Hyundai Solaris | ||
1.6i 16V | ||
Chevrolet Niva | 1.8i 16V | |
Daewoo Nexia | ||
Volkswagen Polo sedan |
How much oil to pour into a 1.8 engine and other volumes of popular cars is already visible, but all the numbers indicated must be handled with care ...
The Golden Rule of Filling Oil
Without dwelling on the oil change process in detail, it is worth paying attention that at the first stage it is necessary to fill in 0.5 liters less than the specified value, then check the level and top up if necessary. At the same time, lubricant also enters the oil filter, so after filling, start the engine, let it idle a little, turn it off, and then after a while, when the oil drains into the crankcase, check the level again. Such a technique will exclude overflow, which can lead to a breakthrough of oil seals, gaskets and other sealing elements, as well as other negative consequences directly related to the operation of the unit and all elements of the lubrication system.