What capacity is better ?

[Lawnman23]

This thread has reminded me of the infamous Pontiac Fiero fire issues on the early models in part due to 3 quarts being used instead of 4.5 quarts.

 

[Astro14]

Is there a better in oil capacity?

Well, certainly, more oil allows for more stable temps, and longer drain intervals, but it means that a change costs a bit more. It really depends on the application. My old 4 Runner was 5 quarts, but burned a quart every 1,500 miles, so, yeah, a convenient jug for the change, but I was buying quarts anyway. Current fleet:

Both V-12s - 10
Packard - 8
Tundra - 8
All the Volvos - 6

For the V-12s, it’s two jugs of Mobil 1 0W40, or 10 quarts of HPL. No worries either way. Since I buy HPL, or AMSOIL, in a case, of 1 quart bottles, I’m not worried about jug size or jug/oil change ratio, but if I were buying jugs, all the other cars require multiple jugs with large remainders.

 

[JohnnyG]

There are a lot of factors to consider when designing engines. Some that I hadn't thought of were things such as what kind of terrain is the vehicle intended for. In other words, if it's going to be used to climb hills, etc.
I heard once that the Caddy Northstar (transverse mount) needed 7.5 qts of oil, since it was designed (in some models) to pull 1.5 G's through a corner. Smaller capacity could have starved the oil pump in that situation.

 

[Nessism1]

Is there a better in oil capacity?

If the vehicle is an oil burner, and has a low capacity sump, real due diligence is required. And we all know how reliable some people are about checking and topping up their oil!

 

[Astro14]

If the vehicle is an oil burner, and has a low capacity sump, real due diligence is required. And we all know how reliable some people are about checking and topping up their oil!

So, more is better? That is my gut feeling…

 

[Snagglefoot]

The Gen V Chevy V-8 engines went from 6.0 quarts in the Gen IV engines to 8 quarts, decreased the typical OCI from approx. 10,000 miles to 8,000 miles while they did a change from 5W30 to a 0W20 motor oil recommendation.

 

[Wireman1987]

There are a lot of factors to consider when designing engines. Some that I hadn't thought of were things such as what kind of terrain is the vehicle intended for. In other words, if it's going to be used to climb hills, etc.
I heard once that the Caddy Northstar (transverse mount) needed 7.5 qts of oil, since it was designed (in some models) to pull 1.5 G's through a corner. Smaller capacity could have starved the oil pump in that situation.

Why wouldn’t they use a dry sump in that situation?