How Many Liters of Engine Oil Does a Car Need?

[DiJocelyn]

Car engine oil capacity is generally 5 liters. The capacity for oil change and situations requiring oil change are as follows: Oil change capacity: Different car models have different sizes of oil pans, so the amount of oil required for a change varies. Generally, compact cars need about 4L, mid-size and large cars about 4.5L, and micro cars about 3.5L. Please refer to the maintenance manual for specific details. Situations requiring oil change: Check the oil viscosity; if there is no viscosity, the oil needs to be changed; the oil color turns black; excessive black particles, metal shavings, or carbon deposits in the oil; the oil smells unusual. If the oil is not changed, it will turn black and deteriorate, reducing lubrication effectiveness and potentially causing engine damage.

[LeLeah]

Last time I changed the oil, I specifically asked the mechanic. For general family sedans, it's usually around 3.8 to 5.5 liters. My old Nissan Sylphy 1.6L had exactly 4.3 liters written on the maintenance sheet. Turbocharged engines might require a bit more – my friend's 2.0T Magotan took 5.2 liters. However, the exact amount depends on the oil pan design. German and American cars typically use more oil than Japanese cars. The mechanic taught me the most accurate method: check the dipstick when the engine is cold – pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert it all the way, then pull it out again. The oil level should be between the upper and lower marks, slightly towards the upper mark. Never fill it to the maximum mark, as I've heard it can cause the engine to feel sluggish.

[McKing]

As someone who's worked on hundreds of cars in an auto repair shop, there's really no standard answer to this question. Most compact cars take around 4 liters, while small-displacement models like the Fit only need about 3.5 liters. Mid-size SUVs can consume 5-7 liters - the Highlander's maintenance manual specifies 5.7 liters, and the Land Cruiser requires 6.2 liters. I've encountered cases where customers brought their own oil but didn't have enough, only to discover residual old oil remaining in the passages after an engine overhaul. My recommendation is to start the engine for two minutes after adding new oil, then turn it off and wait three minutes before rechecking the dipstick. Insufficient oil will trigger the oil warning light, while overfilling may damage the catalytic converter.

[LaMackenzie]

I just checked the maintenance manual of my Tayron on page 32, which clearly states: the 2.0T engine requires 5.6 liters of 0W-20 full synthetic oil. However, the workshop technician mentioned that the actual filling amount would be slightly less because the old oil cannot be completely drained. During the last maintenance, they only used 5 liters for me, and the measurement was exactly at the midline. A friend who works at a repair shop reminded me that European cars generally consume more oil, while domestic cars are more fuel-efficient and use less oil. It's best to supervise the oil change on-site, as some small shops might underfill by half a liter to save costs.