Urge to Top Off !

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Most engines will run fine even 1 quart below Add.


This is exactly why people need to check their engine oil periodically. Most people wait for odd symptoms. Clearly a bad thing.

 

[fdcg27]

Agreed.
The "add" line is there for a reason, and the engine will be just fine unless the pickup sucks air, which won't happen as long as there's oil on the dipstick, way below the add line.
There is no benefit in keeping the oil at the full mark.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Agreed.
The "add" line is there for a reason, and the engine will be just fine unless the pickup sucks air, which won't happen as long as there's oil on the dipstick, way below the add line.
There is no benefit in keeping the oil at the full mark.

Not true, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned oil pressure.
The pickup sucking air can happen very easily in some applications during even moderately aggressive driving (hard cornering and breaking). Small sumped vehicles are particularly succeptible to the problem if the oil level isn't kept right at the full level. The problem is exacerbated by the installation of stickier than stock tires.
If you drive like a nanny then you've got nothing to worry about, otherwise if you don't have an OP gauge keep the oil level close to the maximum level.

 

[fdcg27]

Well, Caterham, I corner very agressively in everything I drive, and I've never seen any indication (even a flicker) of low oil pressure in any car that lacked an OP gauge (most of mine have lacked such a gauge).
It may also be that most of my cars have hardly used oil.
Still, I think that the lower mark on the dipstick is there for a reason, and the engine should be perfectly safe in anything other than inverted operation as long as the oil is above that level.

 

[LeakySeals]

Topoffs are more important at 4 qt capacity than they are at 8.6. Your skipping over a quart, no big deal lol. Id be ticking up a storm

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Well, Caterham, I corner very agressively in everything I drive, and I've never seen any indication (even a flicker) of low oil pressure in any car that lacked an OP gauge (most of mine have lacked such a gauge).
It may also be that most of my cars have hardly used oil.
Still, I think that the lower mark on the dipstick is there for a reason, and the engine should be perfectly safe in anything other than inverted operation as long as the oil is above that level.


Cat's right, I cant check the corolla on even the slightest incline or it shows down 1/2 to 1 qt when its actually full. Think capacity/configuration of pan has a lot to do with it. When I removed the pan the sump was approx 2" above the bottom of pan so I would have to be pretty empty to suck air. Oil light low?

 

[Lyman]

I fill to the full mark when changing my oil. After 1500 miles it will be a half qt low. If I top off it will use that half qt again in 1500 miles. If I leave it alone at the half qt low mark it will stay that way for the rest of the OCI, Another 3500 miles.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Well, Caterham, I corner very agressively in everything I drive, and I've never seen any indication (even a flicker) of low oil pressure in any car that lacked an OP gauge (most of mine have lacked such a gauge).
It may also be that most of my cars have hardly used oil.
Still, I think that the lower mark on the dipstick is there for a reason, and the engine should be perfectly safe in anything other than inverted operation as long as the oil is above that level.

If you don't have an OP gauge you don't know. An OP gauge will indicate signs of starting to "suck air" long before the idiot light is triggered.
Most four bangers that are tracked MUST kept the oil level at the full level or higher to avoid oil starvation.

Ignorance is bliss. I'm just pointing out that running some vehicles on the minimum level is not safe under certain driving conditions with some vehicles.

 

[ARB1977]

Either vehicle doesn't burn. The Taco sees 7K and the CRV sees 10K both every six months. I wouldn't worry till it gets to the add mark.

 

[Doog]

The way I look at it is that if you are there checking it and it is low at all...then top it off while you are there.

 

[1WildPig]

Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I fill to the full mark when changing my oil. After 1500 miles it will be a half qt low. If I top off it will use that half qt again in 1500 miles. If I leave it alone at the half qt low mark it will stay that way for the rest of the OCI, Another 3500 miles.


Have you tried just filling to 1/2 qt under full to start with? ... should save the engine from burning that 1/2 qt to start with ??

 

[circuitsmith]

I fill to the full mark at the oil change, then check every 1000 miles and top to the full mark.
I figure more oil in the sump helps to dilute the impurities.

 

[mongo161]

I also fill the sump with oil to the full mark at the OCI. Then just check the oil weekly along with the other fluids, air pressure etc.

I see no point in using a 1/2 or 1 quart less than what is required for a full sump. It's a lot easier to check to see if, and how much, your vehicle is using during it's run. Having a full sump means that all area's of the engine are getting coated and splashed with oil.

I also use an oversized filter during my OCI along with a FilterMag.

Just a habit.....but IMO....a good habit.

 

[mongo161]

+1...Most engines will run fine with a quart over the fill mark.

Originally Posted By: electrolover
i recently went to extended drains on a car i take care of. Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 with a distance plus and 10k drains. it used 1/2 quart at 5k but i added a whole quart, knowing i wouldn't see the car until the 10k was over. i figure adding will help keep the TBN up and 1/2 qt over is not that big of a deal.

 

[fdcg27]

Well, in the 203K on the older Accord, ignorance has been pretty blissful, although it rarely burns down an entire quart during my typical 5-6K OCI.

 

[Lyman]

Originally Posted By: 1WildPig
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I fill to the full mark when changing my oil. After 1500 miles it will be a half qt low. If I top off it will use that half qt again in 1500 miles. If I leave it alone at the half qt low mark it will stay that way for the rest of the OCI, Another 3500 miles.


Have you tried just filling to 1/2 qt under full to start with? ... should save the engine from burning that 1/2 qt to start with ??
I meant to the last oil change but forgot. I haven't figured out why it does what it does but I figure I'll just go with it.

 

[84zmyfavorite]

I think about oil levels and topping them off every day, for my Jeep Cherokees(two 84z, an 87, a 96, a 99 and my Beloved 2001 SilverStone Metallic Cherokee with 64,820 original miles). I often wish I was a Normal person also.

 

[hattaresguy]

Its a Mercedes wait for the dash light to come on, it will tell you when its at the add line.

I love the oil pan floats they put in those cars, well except when they short out and start flickering all the time for no reason.

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Do you have an urge to top off when the oil level is at half way between min and max lines ?


Yes.