What Does Increased Engine Oil Mean?
2 Answers
Increased engine oil refers to the phenomenon where the oil level in a car's engine rises. Here are the relevant details: 1. Increased engine oil is often accompanied by oil emulsification and a strong gasoline odor, particularly in some direct-injection turbocharged models. Due to the difference between direct-injection technology and traditional port fuel injection, direct-injection engines spray gasoline directly into the cylinder for ignition, which can lead to oil dilution issues. These engines also have higher fuel quality requirements and are prone to carbon buildup. 2. The phenomenon of increased engine oil mostly occurs in colder regions such as Northeast China. When the external temperature is extremely low, or the owner only drives short distances, the engine coolant temperature fails to rise sufficiently. After repeated driving cycles, the fuel dilution rate gradually increases, leading to a rise in the oil level. 3. Although almost all vehicle models may encounter this issue, the severity varies. The degree of oil increase differs, generally ranging between 5-30mm. However, it's important to note that the rise in oil level does not directly reflect the extent of oil degradation—dilution level is the actual measurement standard.
During my last maintenance, I found that the engine oil level was actually above the maximum mark. The technician told me this is called oil dilution. Simply put, it means other liquids have mixed into the engine oil, most commonly gasoline or coolant entering the oil pan. If you drive too many short trips and the engine doesn't reach optimal temperature, incomplete combustion of gasoline can cause it to seep down the cylinder walls. This issue is particularly common in cold regions—my friend's car got hit with this during winter. If you notice an abnormal rise in the oil level, it's best to check immediately. Otherwise, the diluted oil loses its lubricating effectiveness and could damage the engine.
