What to top off with?

[y_p_w]

So I ended up changing the oil on a 2008 Nissan Rogue with Mobil Super 5000 5w30 (API SN), with 5w30 specified in the owners manual and on the emissions sticker. I used a 5 quart jug from WM, and the specified change amount is 4.9 quarts. However, due to some unforeseen difficulties, I ended up losing some oil. I did the oil change after I couldn't get the filter off. I needed a filter wrench that would work on such a small filter but couldn't get to a parts store without a car. The oil that was drained (actually pretty clear when it came out) from the filter already went into a waste oil container mixed with very used oil, so that's not going back in.

Maybe this is totally senseless to think too hard about it, but any thoughts on what to do? I've got Mobil 1 5w30 and Mobil Super 5000 5W-20 (for my wife's car). It's down about 2 mm from the full line, and I figure maybe about .1 quart low. I was thinking of topping off with a tiny bit of Mobil 1, and that would leave me with enough to complete the oil change on my WRX this weekend. Or maybe use a bit of the 5W-20. A tiny amount isn't really going to affect it one way or another - right?

Or just maybe just wait till it's low and buy a quart of oil? Last week I saw that Target had a special on Mobil Super 5000 ($2.99/qt), but I couldn't find a store that had any 5w30. Each store had several bottles of Mobil Special 5w30 though.

 

[Flareside302]

If it's towards top of safe zone leave it alone..

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: y_p_w
It's down about 2 mm from the full line, and I figure maybe about .1 quart low.


2mm? Its not "low". Just leave it alone and drive happily!

 

[Tuffy1760]

Somebody with 1230 posts does not have a huge stash of oil?? I need to sit down before I fall...

 

[MrQuackers]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Tuffy1760
Somebody with 1230 posts does not have a huge stash of oil?? I need to sit down before I fall...


I don't know my post count, but I have both a stash of new and used oil!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Top off with 3-4 oz MOS2

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: Tuffy1760
Somebody with 1230 posts does not have a huge stash of oil?? I need to sit down before I fall...

I didn't even try to tackle my wife's car for a while because I couldn't reach the oil filter without ramps or jackstands. I did change the oil once without a filter change. Never seemed right to me, but Honda says it's OK every other oil change.

I use to do oil changes for my folks and there's a stash somewhere at their place. Mostly odds and ends like 30 weight for a lawnmower, TropArctic semi-syn 10W-30 (bought at Dollar Tree), some assorted Chevron Supreme 5w30/10W-30. I think it's all at least API SL.

Seriously though - a tiny bit of 5W-20 isn't going to cause the engine to seize, right?

 

[fdcg27]

It's full.
If this little guy isn't using oil, you won't need to add any oil over your OCI.
If you need to add, pick up some inexpensive oil with a similar add pack, like what you used or Maxlife or GTX.
If you have a spare quart of the MS in 5W-20 and need to add a quart later in the OCI, dump it in.
You live in a climate that's moderate year 'round, so a quart of 5W-20 in four quarts of 5w30 should be fine.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27

If you have a spare quart of the MS in 5W-20 and need to add a quart later in the OCI, dump it in.

What I've got is maybe half a quart

It's also my parents' car and one that they're letting me drive while they're on vacation. They generally take care of the mechanical stuff, but I know they're cheap. They never replaced the wiper blades for 5 years, and I only did it because it was getting nasty. The rear wiper was rotted away. They have receipts showing they've gone to generic shops like tune up places or combination tire/service shops, including one place that I found advertises that they use 76 oil. I figure I should return it to them with the oil at the top of the line, since they're not that likely to check it.

OTOH - if my father ever found it was a quart low, he might just dump in whatever he can find in the garage. Possibly even the 30 weight.

 

[TFB1]

When I change oil in my '98 Grand Marquis it always reads approx a half pint low... What do I do??? Shut the hood and never worry about it, in 5k mi or so it'll be down enough that I'll add a quart...

 

[zerosoma]

Whatever you do DO NOT add Mobil to Mobil. It will result in catastrophic engine failure.

Only use Mobil when adding to Mobil.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Whatever you do DO NOT add Mobil to Mobil. It will result in catastrophic engine failure.

Only use Mobil when adding to Mobil.

Are you using "Mobil" like the word "smurfed" in the Smurfs?

 

[fdcg27]

Given your parents' maintenance pratices, maybe you should just dump the half quart of MS 5W-20 in there.
At least you'll know that it has enough oil that it probably won't need any adds for this OCI.
Why don't you just do the simple stuff for them, rather than having them take the thing to the cheapest possible source for the work?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Top off with 3-4 oz MOS2

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Given your parents' maintenance pratices, maybe you should just dump the half quart of MS 5W-20 in there.
At least you'll know that it has enough oil that it probably won't need any adds for this OCI.
Why don't you just do the simple stuff for them, rather than having them take the thing to the cheapest possible source for the work?

I like doing this stuff, but my wife thinks I waste too much time on it.

Of course she'd rather I just take our vehicles to a quick lube place where they spend 8 minutes tops on it and where I know they leave oil dripping all over.

 

[Dominic]

When I need to top off my subaru I use Valvoline Nextgen recycled oil. I figure it won't be in there too long, and it's better to top off with it than virgin stock oil. It's also super cheap!

 

[LotI]

If it's not at the ADD mark, don't add oil.

 

[Michael_P]

I guess I'm too permissive with my top offs. If I'm close to a change (within 2000 miles), I'll throw just about anything in there as long as the weights are somewhat close and it has a good add-pak. Less than perfect oil is better than low oil. I rely heavily on miscibility.

 

[y_p_w]

I realize that whatever I do is meaningless in the longevity of the engine, but I thought I'd ask "what would you do?"

And I didn't complete my thought earlier, and it was too late to edit. I had a half quart of Mobil Super 5000 5W-20 left over from the last time I changed the oil in my wife's car. So that way I was thinking I didn't have to crack open a new bottle or go out and buy one. I also have 8 sealed bottle left. I'm actually surprised a Civic has such a small oil sump.

The oil is maybe 0.15 quart from reaching the top line on the dipstick. I'm thinking it may even be within the standard range for dipstick manufacturing variations or where it reads lower if the dipstick is slightly bent.