How important is it to top off the oil??

[mazduh30]

I keep mine near the max. My owner's manual states to check the oil level when it is at operating temperature let sit for a few minutes and check. Even state that abit (.25L) overfill is ok. When in doubt, check the owner's manual.

 

[andyd]

the 528es I drive have a low oil level warning light. It is set to go off when the oil level hits the minimum. It is accurate enough so that I often dont bother to check the stick. As another poster mentioned, checking the dipstick a good opportunity to discover potential under hood problems. At the very least it keeps the hood hinges from rusting shut.

 

[RacerE7773]

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On some engines it doesn't make much difference. On others it is critical to keep it close to the full mark. Most important though is to keep it above the minimum line.

Hang out on a board that specializes on you car and see if it is one of the more critical ones.

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I agree. I used to be on a site for the cavalier, but got banned since I wasn't a ricer. Oh well.

 

[vronline]

Personal opinion, but no need to add until it's a quart low assuming that's the lowest mark on the dipstick.

 

[Durango]

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I'm good at changing my oil every 4k mile, but during OCI i never top off the oil to keep her filled.

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bond007,

Keeping the proper will help in your engines longevity in the long run. I remember my 74 Checy Vega with that stuplid silicone sleeves wore out after 30K and would consume oil like you would never believe! That was when I was young. I didn't check the oil level until the warning light would come on and that's bad habits on my part. Never do what I did then. Now a days it doesn't take much time at all to check you oil. It's one of the few things left that a backyard dude like me can do still. When I go for my annual trip to Arizona I always check under my hood and top off everything that needs it. Too embarassing to my buddies if we break down.

Durango

 

[Syntec-Man]

I also do a pretrip inspection of my car everytime i pull her out in the morning. A quick look around. It takes 2 mins.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I have tested my car and it does not require more then about a 30 second to get an accurate reading after comeing off the HWY. I have even checked whith the car idleing just to see how much it would change compared to not running. So first after the car had been sitting over night I pull the dipstick clean it off put it back in and remove it to check it. I then started the car up and repeated the above steps. Guess what on a 2AZ_FE equiped 2003 Toyota Camry the oil level does not change at idle as compared to after sitting overnight. I wanted to check it at various RPMS to see what it took to make the level change but this car has all electronic throotle control so I could not work the throttle and check the oil. I need to get my wife to give me a hand on of these days!

 

[JohnBrowning]

Normal my car does not use any oil at all even on a 10,000 mile OCI but I think the VP is a bit light in the loafers!

 

[4esorselrahc]

It's nice to drive a vehicle that doesn't need to be topped off. Over 3K on the current fill, and there hasn't been any oil consumption.

 

[westcoaster]

Keep it at the full mark. I like to keep mine just a smidge above full. I have a sunfire, it at the half-way point of my interval, it likes about 300-400 ml of oil to top off. Keep it full and keep it clean.