How much engine oil remaining indicates the need for maintenance?
2 Answers
When the remaining engine oil drops below approximately 10%, the vehicle's combination instrument will issue a prompt to replace the oil promptly, and maintenance should be performed as soon as possible in response to this reminder. During maintenance, all the engine oil should be replaced, not just topped up. After the oil change, the vehicle's combination instrument will display a 100% oil life, which is reset by the maintenance technician and not automatically restored. As time and mileage increase, the oil's service life will gradually decrease. Under normal circumstances, maintenance can also be scheduled based on mileage. The lifespan of engine oil is determined by the distance traveled and the oil's shelf life, with different types of oil requiring different maintenance intervals. Conventional oil needs to be replaced every 6,000 to 8,000 kilometers, while synthetic oil requires replacement every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers.
In our daily car use, monitoring the remaining engine oil level is crucial. From my experience, you should top up the oil immediately when the level drops below the minimum mark on the dipstick - generally when less than a quarter remains serves as a warning. Don't wait until it's completely dry, otherwise it may cause engine wear, overheating, and potentially ruin your vehicle. Maintenance isn't just about quantity - oil change intervals are even more important: most new cars require changes every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, but older models may consume oil faster and need more frequent checks. If you notice the dipstick level dropping rapidly, it might indicate an oil leak or engine issues. I recommend checking the dipstick monthly when the engine is cold - it's cost-effective and gives peace of mind. Always pay attention to your car's condition - symptoms like sluggish acceleration or increased noise mean you should act quickly, as prompt attention can extend your engine's lifespan by several years.
