At what percentage of remaining engine oil should it be changed?
2 Answers
Engine oil should be changed when it remains at 10% to 30%. The functions of engine oil are: lubrication and anti-wear, auxiliary cooling, cleaning, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion prevention, and shock absorption. Classification of engine oil: 1. Conventional mineral oil; 2. Semi-synthetic oil; 3. Full synthetic oil. The method for changing engine oil is: 1. Lift the car, remove the protective plate, and place a container of about 10 liters under the oil drain screw; 2. Unscrew the oil drain screw, use an air gun to blow for two minutes at the oil filler port, tighten the oil drain screw after draining, and wipe it with a tissue to check for leaks; 3. Reinstall the protective plate and lower the car, then use a funnel to add oil at the oil filler port.
I drive a Hyundai equipped with a smart oil monitoring system, which displays a remaining percentage that gradually decreases from 100%. Typically, when it drops to between 15% and 10%, I need to prepare for an oil change. Never wait until it hits 0%, as the oil's lubricating ability deteriorates, increasing the risk of engine wear or failure. The percentage is calculated based on driving habits: short trips in traffic or frequent acceleration will cause it to drop faster, while steady highway driving slows the decline. However, this is just an estimate and shouldn’t be fully relied upon. I also manually check the dipstick every month to ensure the oil level is within the normal range and that the oil isn’t too dark or thin. Synthetic oil lasts longer, but it’s still crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations—safety first, to avoid minor issues turning into major repairs.
