At what point do you top-off?

[Dominic]

Mine never go off the full mark so I never top off.

 

[mikemc]

I'm fortunate that our 2 current vehicles don't use a significant amount of oil during a 4-5K interval, so I don't top off. Previous vehicles I would check weekly and when dipstick got close to bottom of safe mark, add 1/2 quart.

 

[pscholte]

"Mine never go off the full mark so I never top off."

That is pretty much my story too; if I had to top off it would be at the "1/2 qt low" point.

 

[labman]

My Grand Am HO Quad 4 used about the maximum qt/1000 miles. I used to always top it up when ever I remembered to check it. The Cavalier I have now, and truck never seem to need oil between changes.

If I have the dip stick out, and it needs oil, I add it.

 

[vwoom]

Of the two cars I maintain(I check both once a week), only one gets the added top-off(190E; the Passat, NEVER!

)..and it's anywhere below the full mark.

However, I don't wait till it hits the half way mark..I want the top-off qt/added portion to get the most miles it can, before the next scheduled oci comes up. The earlier being added..the better.

 

[Killer-B]

I cant seem to top off my 99 Tracker, 4 banger, Holds 5 and a half quarts, I put the 5.5 quarts in, but, within a 100 miles or so, that half quart disappears, it likes being at the add 1/2 quarts mark. Sweet spot I guess. Wont burn a drop of oil in 3K miles,I just cant seem to keep it at the full mark.

 

[darkdan]

I check my oil (and tire pressure) every 1000 miles and top off accordingly.

 

[buster]

I'm nuts with checking the oil. Can be every other day or up to 1,000 miles. Depends on what type of mood I'm in.