I have been told that running(normal operation not tracking)a car with a 7 quart sump, 1 quart low will not cause any damage. I was wondering if I could apply that advice to a 4.5 quart sump. It feels ridiculous adding a half quart at a time to the wife's car but I do it because 4.5 quart sump seems small to me. Responses are much appreciated.
Flying low
- Thread starter fauxchemist
- Start date
- Status
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
4.5 quart sump seems small to me also. I would not want it 12% low.
I would go by the dipstick. If it reaches the low "fill" line, then add. On my 6 qt. sump, I believe the fill mark is at 1 qt. low.
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
So you're saying it's only 0.5qts between the low level and high level marks on the dipstick? That would be very unusual; what cars are these?
If you're at the low level you should be able to add a full quart without exceeding the high level mark, especially once the engine has cooled (oil sump volume has contracted).
If you're at the low level you should be able to add a full quart without exceeding the high level mark, especially once the engine has cooled (oil sump volume has contracted).
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
So you're saying it's only 0.5qts between the low level and high level marks on the dipstick? That would be very unusual; what cars are these?
If you're at the low level you should be able to add a full quart without exceeding the high level mark, especially once the engine has cooled (oil sump volume has contracted).
No I didnt say that. Im saying that im adding a half quart at a time because it makes me feel batter but im thinking its not necessary. There is no marks on dipstick. Her car is a Honda Accord.
So you're saying it's only 0.5qts between the low level and high level marks on the dipstick? That would be very unusual; what cars are these?
If you're at the low level you should be able to add a full quart without exceeding the high level mark, especially once the engine has cooled (oil sump volume has contracted).
No I didnt say that. Im saying that im adding a half quart at a time because it makes me feel batter but im thinking its not necessary. There is no marks on dipstick. Her car is a Honda Accord.
There doesn't seem to be much point of a dipstick if it doesn't have any marks, unless you need it to let you know if you've run completely dry (hopefully not!).
I suspect the first case was due to the max and min levels on the dipstick would be about 1 quart apart and therefore running at min instead of max isn't going to damage the engine.
I personally don't pay much attention to be specs apart from making sure I buy enough oil prior to an oil change.
I like the oil to be as just before the max mark to be honest.
But I don't pay much attention to exactly how the amount I add compares to what the book says the capacity is.
I personally don't pay much attention to be specs apart from making sure I buy enough oil prior to an oil change.
I like the oil to be as just before the max mark to be honest.
But I don't pay much attention to exactly how the amount I add compares to what the book says the capacity is.
Not sure why it doesnt have marks but thats not what my question is about. There is a section on the dipstick where you can tell was made to be your point of reference but no actual lines or lettering. After doing further research I came to the conclusion that this dipstick is from a Ford Fusion. So anybody with a fusion should know what im talking about.
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
There doesn't seem to be much point of a dipstick if it doesn't have any marks, unless you need it to let you know if you've run completely dry (hopefully not!).
I suspect he might mean the dipstick just has a flattened portion on it, unlike some that actually say how much the difference is between max and min.
The Taxi one actually states the temperature (75oF I think) which relates to the max and min!
There doesn't seem to be much point of a dipstick if it doesn't have any marks, unless you need it to let you know if you've run completely dry (hopefully not!).
I suspect he might mean the dipstick just has a flattened portion on it, unlike some that actually say how much the difference is between max and min.
The Taxi one actually states the temperature (75oF I think) which relates to the max and min!
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Im saying that im adding a half quart at a time because it makes me feel batter but im thinking its not necessary.
Adding half a quart is reasonable, but you could probably leave it to when you needed a quart. In the cab fleet, if a car consumed oil, we added only when it needed a half quart or more and never let it go below needing a full quart.
In the F-150, before I found the benefits of HM oils and HDEOs, I'd do pretty much the same thing to compensate for leaking. By the way, does the manual say anything about how much to add and when, based on the dipstick's construction?
Im saying that im adding a half quart at a time because it makes me feel batter but im thinking its not necessary.
Adding half a quart is reasonable, but you could probably leave it to when you needed a quart. In the cab fleet, if a car consumed oil, we added only when it needed a half quart or more and never let it go below needing a full quart.
In the F-150, before I found the benefits of HM oils and HDEOs, I'd do pretty much the same thing to compensate for leaking. By the way, does the manual say anything about how much to add and when, based on the dipstick's construction?
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Not sure why it doesnt have marks but thats not what my question is about. There is a section on the dipstick where you can tell was made to be your point of reference but no actual lines or lettering. After doing further research I came to the conclusion that this dipstick is from a Ford Fusion. So anybody with a fusion should know what im talking about.
If I'm not mistaken a member here called tig has one of those. Maybe fire off a pm to him. He is usually happy to answer questions and could be helpful to you.
Not sure why it doesnt have marks but thats not what my question is about. There is a section on the dipstick where you can tell was made to be your point of reference but no actual lines or lettering. After doing further research I came to the conclusion that this dipstick is from a Ford Fusion. So anybody with a fusion should know what im talking about.
If I'm not mistaken a member here called tig has one of those. Maybe fire off a pm to him. He is usually happy to answer questions and could be helpful to you.
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
No it won't. And in winter, running a bit low is even better.
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
No it won't. And in winter, running a bit low is even better.
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
I have been told that running(normal operation not tracking)a car with a 7 quart sump, 1 quart low will not cause any damage. I was wondering if I could apply that advice to a 4.5 quart sump. It feels ridiculous adding a half quart at a time to the wife's car but I do it because 4.5 quart sump seems small to me. Responses are much appreciated.
If you buy a small sumper you need small bottles. It's always good to keep the oil at the full mark as it helps keep the add pack working when the oil is old. Running low on oil can ruin your whole day if you miss the warning light, as many oil consumption victims do.
I have always used the 10% rule, so if the level indicates down by 10% or more, top up.
I have been told that running(normal operation not tracking)a car with a 7 quart sump, 1 quart low will not cause any damage. I was wondering if I could apply that advice to a 4.5 quart sump. It feels ridiculous adding a half quart at a time to the wife's car but I do it because 4.5 quart sump seems small to me. Responses are much appreciated.
If you buy a small sumper you need small bottles. It's always good to keep the oil at the full mark as it helps keep the add pack working when the oil is old. Running low on oil can ruin your whole day if you miss the warning light, as many oil consumption victims do.
I have always used the 10% rule, so if the level indicates down by 10% or more, top up.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: skyship
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
I have been told that running(normal operation not tracking)a car with a 7 quart sump, 1 quart low will not cause any damage. I was wondering if I could apply that advice to a 4.5 quart sump. It feels ridiculous adding a half quart at a time to the wife's car but I do it because 4.5 quart sump seems small to me. Responses are much appreciated.
If you buy a small sumper you need small bottles. It's always good to keep the oil at the full mark as it helps keep the add pack working when the oil is old. Running low on oil can ruin your whole day if you miss the warning light, as many oil consumption victims do.
I have always used the 10% rule, so if the level indicates down by 10% or more, top up.
VOTED NUMBER ONE RESPONSE BY FAUXCHEMIST...........
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
I have been told that running(normal operation not tracking)a car with a 7 quart sump, 1 quart low will not cause any damage. I was wondering if I could apply that advice to a 4.5 quart sump. It feels ridiculous adding a half quart at a time to the wife's car but I do it because 4.5 quart sump seems small to me. Responses are much appreciated.
If you buy a small sumper you need small bottles. It's always good to keep the oil at the full mark as it helps keep the add pack working when the oil is old. Running low on oil can ruin your whole day if you miss the warning light, as many oil consumption victims do.
I have always used the 10% rule, so if the level indicates down by 10% or more, top up.
VOTED NUMBER ONE RESPONSE BY FAUXCHEMIST...........
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
No it won't. And in winter, running a bit low is even better.
Prove to me it won't and prove to me running low is better,not your opinion or some guys car you worked on,post up some wear tests with proof!
Originally Posted By: daman
Originally Posted By: fauxchemist
Originally Posted By: daman
Why not do 5 and call it a day?
I dont understand what you are saying. Both are cars go 15,000OCI. My car burns a quart every 3,000 miles/406,000 miles on unit. Her car burns a quart every 4,000 miles/114,000 miles on unit.
Dump 5qts in,the extra .5 will be beneficial to the small sump.
No it won't. And in winter, running a bit low is even better.
Prove to me it won't and prove to me running low is better,not your opinion or some guys car you worked on,post up some wear tests with proof!
If there truly are no marks on the dipstick, it's only because you have not yet put them on there.
My Camaro wants 5.5 qts. I put in the whole 6. It hasn't been an issue. YMMV. I've always been of the mind that when your car is running and sucking oil up, a little over isn't going to be much of a problem. Check your dipstick when the car is running to see what kind of leeway is produced.
If your car is not an oil user, .5 qts low isn't a problem. If it is, I'd learn to deal with easy measuring of the .5 qts and keep it at optimal fill.
It isn't all that hard to do, IMO. There are marks on the side of the containers, enhance that mark with a Sharpie. Or, use a measuring cup. Or, eyeball it.
It's only .5 qt. Don't let it beat you.
My Camaro wants 5.5 qts. I put in the whole 6. It hasn't been an issue. YMMV. I've always been of the mind that when your car is running and sucking oil up, a little over isn't going to be much of a problem. Check your dipstick when the car is running to see what kind of leeway is produced.
If your car is not an oil user, .5 qts low isn't a problem. If it is, I'd learn to deal with easy measuring of the .5 qts and keep it at optimal fill.
It isn't all that hard to do, IMO. There are marks on the side of the containers, enhance that mark with a Sharpie. Or, use a measuring cup. Or, eyeball it.
It's only .5 qt. Don't let it beat you.
I would say generally within a quart of any engine size you wont cause any damage, many people here have seen perfectly good running engines drain a quart of oil out of the pan.
For what its worth, I have owned quite a few cars in my years on this earth, and I have never once had one with a sump larger than 4 qts.
For what its worth, I have owned quite a few cars in my years on this earth, and I have never once had one with a sump larger than 4 qts.
- Status