Just to throw a spanner in works, proper oil level as descibed on the synlube 4 life site below. Interesting conclusions on the quickest way to get oil upto operating temperature. Not exactly what my OEM manual says as best practice,
Any practioners of this method? Please provide comments?
Virgionoil
What is PROPER Oil Level?
A:
Proper Oil Level is perhaps the most important but also the most often overlooked aspect of engine maintenance.
Many self proclaimed automotive experts and maintenance fanatics incorrectly promote the idea that more is better than less.
This is only partially true.
The maintenance of proper oil level is very important for minimizing of "Oil Consumption", minimizing the engine mechanical wear and avoiding serious mechanical problems.
Excess oil level causes excessive oil consumption and oil burning during combustion process. Oil burning causes fouled plugs, and greatly increases emission of exhaust pollutants. Too much oil in the exhaust can lead to plugging or damage of catalytic converters. Serious excess of oil in engine (two quarts or more) can cause engine fires for various reasons. Serious mechanical damage such as cracked piston rings can result from excess oil level.
Oil level therefore must never be above the FULL or MAX mark on you dipstick. If you accidentally add too much oil, drain the excess at once. This is one instance where more is not better !
Proper oil level is between the MIN (LOW or ADD) and MAX (FULL) marks on your dipstick.
The area or distance between MIN and MAX marks usually represents one quart or one liter in most cars (one (quart is slightly less than one liter, 1 quart = .946 liter;
or conversely one liter is 1.8 ounces more than one quart).
When adding oil never add full quart, if the oil level is at or above the MIN mark.
Add about 8 ounces or 16 ounces, wait few minutes check the oil level, and add more only if necessary.
The ideal oil level is just slightly above the MIN mark and well below the MAX mark, this will minimize oil consumption and minimize engine wear.
Oil level too low, that is one quart less than minimum will in some engines cause damage, but most engines can operate on as little as two quarts or less without any damage.
Oil capacity of 4 to 6 quarts is typical for most engines, although some small foreign cars use only 3 quarts, some large engines and trucks may use 8 quarts or more.
If you can not determine your engine's oil capacity from your Owner’s Manual, install three quarts after oil drain, start engine for few minutes, stop engine wait 5 minutes, check oil level and add about half quart, check oil level again and add more oil until you reach the MIN mark. Then note how many quarts are required for your car. Do not add more than about half quart at a time and allow time for oil to drain to the oil pan, to prevent over filling.
Oil filters despite their apparent size only hold 4 to 8 ounces of oil, but the really large ones used in commercial trucks and busses can hold up to a quart.
Once engine is started as much as two quarts may be in circulation, when engine is stopped it takes about five minutes for oil to drain back to the oil pan and if oil level is checked immediately after engine is shut down, low reading on a dipstick will result even if oil quantity is adequate. Therefore be sure that enough time has been allowed for oil to drain down to the pan.
Best habit is to check oil when engine is cold and before driving in the morning, this is not only the most accurate technique to verify the oil level, but also avoids any possible burns from contact with hot engine parts.
However you must be sure that the car is level when parked, otherwise inaccurate reading of oil level may result.
Contrary to popular belief it is not necessary to maintain the oil level at the FULL (MAX) mark.
Experience and on road performance tests show that oil consumption can be as much as four times higher if oil level is maintained at the FULL (MAX) mark, as compared to an operation when the oil level is maintained at the LOW (MIN or ADD) mark on the dipstick.
Another popular argument is that engine with more oil will run cooler, but this is not true.
However, it will take longer for the oil to reach its normal operating temperature.
It is an error to assume that with the use of more oil, that the oil temperature will be reduced.
If the amount of oil increases, the quantity of heat transferred to it also increases, but the operating temperature is not affected.
Further disadvantage of using more oil than the necessary minimum for safe engine operation is that the cold running period will be prolonged, this contributes to less efficiency, cold sludge formation and greater engine wear.
Therefore for minimum oil consumption, maximum engine efficiency and maximum engine life, maintain your oil level just slightly above the MIN (ADD or LOW) mark and well below the MAX (FULL) mark.
