How much engine oil should be added during maintenance?

[HarrisonLee]

During maintenance, the amount of engine oil should be between the upper and lower limit points, and should not exceed the upper limit point. When the oil in the engine oil pan is insufficient, the friction between bearings and journals and other components will cause poor lubrication due to insufficient oil, which will aggravate the wear of various engine components. If there is too much oil, it will not only increase the power loss inside the engine, but also cause more oil to splash onto the cylinder wall, leading to oil burning and exhaust faults. Engine oil is a substance enhanced with additives in base oil, mainly containing anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and multi-grade oil viscosity index improvers.

[BrynleeDella]

Every time I go for maintenance, I first check the vehicle manual, which clearly states the oil capacity. For example, my sedan requires 4.5 liters. This is something you really can't estimate by feeling. Last time I went for maintenance, the technician reminded me that there are slight differences in oil requirements between seasons. Most importantly, after adding oil, you must check the dipstick. It's best to check when the engine is cold, with the oil level ideally in the middle of the scale marks. Adding too much oil can cause excessive crankcase pressure and lead to oil seal leaks, while adding too little can result in insufficient lubrication and cylinder scoring. I remember last year my friend's car had 1 liter too much oil, causing the engine to emit blue smoke directly, and the repair cost nearly ten thousand yuan.

[Amelia]

As an experienced driver, I believe the key points when adding engine oil are the dipstick and the manual. It's best to supervise in the workshop during maintenance, ensuring the technician drains all the old oil before refilling with new oil. When reaching 90% of the standard capacity, frequent dipstick checks become crucial. Once, a new technician almost poured 5.5 liters into my SUV – luckily I intervened in time, as the 3.0T engine actually requires only 5.2 liters. Nowadays, some shops use mechanical oil guns which can easily lead to overfilling, so I strongly recommend bringing your own measuring cup. After the oil change, remember to drive a few hundred kilometers and recheck the level, especially for German cars which often have minor oil consumption.

[MariaLee]

Adding engine oil seems simple but requires attention. First, check the manual for the specified capacity, typically 4-5 liters for sedans. I always instruct the mechanic to initially add 80% of the standard amount, then start the engine and let it run for two minutes to circulate the oil. After turning off the engine, wait five minutes before checking the level. The dipstick has MIN and MAX markings—aim to keep the oil level slightly above the midpoint for optimal performance. Modern cars with electronic oil level monitoring make this easier, but don't rely solely on dashboard alerts. During the oil change interval, perform monthly checks. If you notice abnormal consumption, investigate potential oil burning issues. Final reminder: Exceeding the capacity by 10% risks foam formation and oil emulsification.

[LeLydia]

Just had an oil change two days ago and made sure to document the process this time: First, parked the car on level ground, and the mechanic drained the oil for a full 15 minutes. Then added 4L of new oil, with the dipstick showing it just reached the min line, so topped up another 0.8L to reach the middle mark. A reminder here: The manual states 4.5 liters is the fill volume for a completely dry engine, but in reality, it's hard to achieve 100% drainage during an oil change, so less oil is usually added. Also, different viscosity oils have varying volumes; 5W40 is slightly denser than 0W20. After the change, remember to have the mechanic reset the maintenance reminder with a diagnostic tool, and drive for a couple of days to confirm there are no leaks before considering the job done.

[Grace]

The thing I fear most during car repairs is overfilling engine oil. Last time, a car had severe engine vibration, and upon disassembly, we found 1.5 liters of excess oil causing the crankshaft to soak in oil. Now, let me teach you the correct method: Prepare a clean measuring cup and strictly follow the manual's specified volume. Each engine's oil pan has a different shape—for example, V-type engines typically have half a liter more capacity than inline engines. When checking the dipstick, remember to wipe it clean before reinserting, as the fluid level can vary by half a centimeter between cold and hot engine states. Cars with auto start-stop systems are more sensitive; even an extra 200 milliliters can trigger a warning light. I recommend taking a short drive after an oil change and then rechecking for the most accurate reading.