Can You Directly Add Engine Oil If It's Low?
2 Answers
If the engine oil level is low, you can directly add it yourself. However, when adding oil, make sure to keep it slightly below the mark on the dipstick. The steps for adding engine oil yourself are as follows: 1. Run the engine until it reaches the required operating temperature. Then, use a jack to lift the vehicle, engage the handbrake, and secure the front wheels with wooden wedges. 2. Place a container for the old oil under the oil pan, locate the oil pan drain bolt, and slowly unscrew it. 3. Move the oil container under the oil filter, put on gloves, and use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then gently unscrew it. 4. Choose the appropriate oil filter for your vehicle based on the user manual. 5. Apply new oil to the gasket of the new filter. 6. The final step is to pour the new oil into the oil pan.
I've been driving for over ten years and often encounter low engine oil levels. As long as it's not caused by oil leaks or excessive oil consumption leading to severe shortages, simply adding the same type of oil is completely fine. First, with the engine cold, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it all the way, and check the level. If it's below the lower mark, you can top it up. I usually keep a bottle of the manufacturer-recommended oil in the trunk, and when I notice it's low, I add it slowly. After each addition, I recheck the level to avoid exceeding the upper limit. However, if you're losing more than half a liter every 1,000 kilometers, you can't just keep adding oil—it's likely an engine seal issue that requires inspection and repair. Developing a habit of checking the dipstick weekly gives the most peace of mind.
