When do you top off?

[NMBurb02]

At what point do you generally top off motor oil, transmission fluid, and other automotive fluids? As soon as it dips below the max line? Halfway down the operating range mark on the dipstick/min line on the reservoir? Once it hits or dips below the operating range marks on the dipstick? I guess the same basic question could also be applied to tire pressure. Do you add air when the pressure drops 1 psi below the spec'd (or your preferred) pressure?

Prior to purchasing the Burb I was pretty horrible at checking and keeping up with fluid levels. In fact, when I took the '02 Windstar the Burb eventually replaced in for an oil change and asked about the clicking noise I sometimes heard, I was informed it was the oil pump making noise because the oil level was so low that the pump wasn't picking up oil when I would make a turn and the oil would shift in the pan! Oops! I have been much better since getting the Burb but probably overdo it a bit as I generally add 1/2 qt when the oil level is halfway down the checked mark on the dipstick. I have even added 8 oz of transmission fluid because the level was halfway down the checked mark.

 

[2James1]

Maybe a case of oil level OCD but when I top off it's almost always 8oz. at a time.

 

[99Saturn]

Whenever I notice it's below the max line with oil. My current saturn and the one previous to this both drink oil, so I check at least weekly, regardless of the amount needed (usually because the top off quart is about 4 feet from where I'm standing).

 

[volk06]

I only refill when I hit the minimum mark. There's no need to top off before then.

 

[KHP]

Originally Posted By: volk06
I only refill when I hit the minimum mark. There's no need to top off before then.


+1

I don't usually top off as my car consumes a minimal amount of oil at around 1/2Qt @ 7,500 miles at most.

When level is just above the "low" mark I refill to halfway between "full" and "low". I found that some engines consume more oil when filled to the "full" mark.

 

[danthaman1980]

If I've already gone to the trouble to pop the hood and pull the stick, it isn't much extra trouble to add even a very small amount to bring the level up to the full line. Whether it needs a half quart or only an extra 2 oz., doesn't matter.

I hate partial quarts anyway, so I tend to try to use them up between oil changes.

 

[Clevy]

I don't add oil until its a quart low

 

[NateDN10]

Neither of our cars burn any oil to speak of, so I just top off right after oil changes until it's above the 1/2 mark on the dipstick.

The mower gets topped off when the level falls below the lower level mark on the dipstick.

 

[84zmyfavorite]

My Jeeps loose such a small amount of fluid if any, that I top-off fluids when I check them(usually once a week), regardless if they need a Teaspoon, or a quart. My Brown 84 Cherokee is the exception to this rule. Her 257,211 mile GM2.8V6 has been at least a quart low for last 3 or 4 months(2000 miles or so), which was last time I checked. I do keep a Close eye on Her and top-off as soon as needed on brake, clutch, coolant and power steering fluids. Interest of Science with that GM2.8V6, as Tom&Ray would say. Just have to see what it can take. A bit over 28,000 miles and 6 years OCI!

 

[UNC017]

I never add unless it approaches the minimum mark, there's no benefit to keeping it right at the edges of the "full" mark.

Also, many engines consume less oil as the level drops a bit.

 

[Falken]

I wouldn't bother until it exactly hits the min mark.

You know when the oil was changed, and the mileage, so if you wait until the min mark you know exactly how long it took to loose 1 qt. of motor oil.

If you constantly add, you only have a "feeling" that it is burning, not how much or how fast.

Then you know, "I loose 1 qt. every 5,000 miles".

Then you can keep track of if it is getting worse.

Or, you can keep track of which brand and weight of oil causes the most and which one causes the least consumption.

Topping off is counter productive if done too often.

 

[The_Jeff]

Having owned a few saturn s-series I can claim expertise.

They burn linearly, so I top off when down 1/2 quart. Generally because I don't want to get my hands oily-- laziness.

However if they're already oily I go at it.

I also top it off or go 1/4 quart over if leaving on a road trip.

Out of cheapness, I time it to be a quart low at changing time.

When I do tires, I go 1/2 to 1 PSI over so the next mini-venting into the gauge sets it right. I try not to obsess over "known-good" tires after having a valve core once start leaking because I frigged with it.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I never add unless it approaches the minimum mark, there's no benefit to keeping it right at the edges of the "full" mark.

Also, many engines consume less oil as the level drops a bit.


You wanna hear a good one. The ford 4.6 has the same oil pan from 99-04. In 01 the capacity went from 6 to 7 quarts. The only change was the dipstick.
So the 99 and 2000 have a 7 quart oil pan but the dipstick says over full when in reality its perfect.
So if ford has that issue I believe every engine can hold a bit more than the "max" on the dipstick.
So when I change oil I look up the capacity on the net,use what they state as is required,check the dipstick and go from there.
I don't have any engines that consume so its just peace of mind for me to even look.

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
I also top it off or go 1/4 quart over if leaving on a road trip.

Nothing like going to visit family for the weekend and having to add a quart (or more) before you leave. I get a few odd looks when a 5 quart jug is on my list of stuff to pack for a trip.

 

[beast3300]

I only add if a 1/2 qt of motor oil is needed. I like keeping it near full, but 1/4 qt low won't trip my OCD.

As for other fluid: I like keeping the transmission fluid in the halfway mark during a normal driving warm up period. The PS sucks to check on the series 2 and 3 so I check those cold and keep it at the cold fill.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Neither of my vehicles leak or burn enough to need any oil added during an OCI.

For a period, my Cherokee's oil filter housing adapter was leaking like a siev. I would top it off once a week.

 

[morepwr]

When the oil light comes on!

Just kidding!!!! I add when its a half quart or more low.

 

[TFB1]

For the '07 Grand Marquis, never it doesn't use any oil...

For the '98 Grand Marquis when it's a quart low(around 5k mi)...

For the beater F-150 maybe at two low, but prob just change it instead...

For the 428CJ Fairlane, anytime it's not showing about 1/4 to 1/2 inch overfull... Why??? Cause it will loose oil pressure on hard acceleration if not full...

 

[demarpaint]

Fortunately my days of topping off are over, at least for now. When I did have to top up my Aerostar I'd do it when it was down 1/2 qt.

 

[Virtuoso]

I do it at half-quart under full now.