How Many Liters of Oil Are Needed for an Oil Change?
4 Answers
The amount of oil needed for an oil change should be maintained between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick. The specific quantity varies depending on the vehicle model. If too much oil is added, the excess can be drained at an auto repair center to prevent oil leakage. Engine oil, also known as motor lubricant, consists of base oil and additives. It serves multiple functions for the engine, including lubrication and friction reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing to prevent leaks, rust and corrosion prevention, and shock absorption. Base oil is the primary component of lubricants, determining their fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and improve the shortcomings of the base oil, providing additional performance enhancements. Additives are a crucial part of lubricants.
Last time I changed the oil for my old Lavida, I specifically checked the manual - after draining completely, it took 3.8 liters to reach the midpoint on the dipstick. Honestly there's no universal standard for this. My buddy who drives a CR-V needs 4.2 liters, while his neighbor's Highlander requires 5.7 liters. The key factor is your engine displacement - 1.6L compact cars generally take 3.5-4L, while 2.0T engines need around 5L. Once I forgot to check the dipstick and overfilled it, which made the throttle sluggish and increased fuel consumption - I had to extract half a bottle with a syringe to fix it. Remember to warm up the engine after refilling, then turn it off and wait three minutes before checking the dipstick - staying between the upper and lower marks is safest.
Having changed the oil three times myself, I've figured out the trick. My Nissan Sylphy always leaves a bit at the bottom of the 4L bottle, but my friend's Honda Civic needs two bottles. Here's a pro tip: after draining the old oil, pour in 3.5 liters first, start the engine and let it run for two minutes before turning it off, then wait ten minutes and top up to the midpoint on the dipstick. Turbocharged cars especially need an extra half-liter—engines like Volkswagen's EA888 are real oil guzzlers. Last time I changed the oil in my dad's old Crown, the 3.0L engine took a whopping 6.2 liters—never expected a V6 to be so thirsty.
After 13 years in auto repair, I've seen all kinds of bizarre cases. Last week, a Fit owner insisted on adding 5 liters of oil, resulting in engine bay splattered everywhere. Most sedans only need 3.5-4.5 liters, but be careful with German cars – the N20 engine in a BMW 320i requires exactly 5.25 liters, the warning light comes on if it's 0.1 liter short. SUVs are even more extreme – the Land Cruiser's 4.6L engine needs 8.2 liters. Here's a pro tip: elevate the front end during oil changes to drain an extra 200ml of old oil, extending new oil's lifespan by half a month.
