'Where' do you top-off your engine oil?

[Volvohead]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
. . . and many people I see doing this look very 'worried'...like they just found out there engine is 2+ quarts low on oil. Years ago my friend worked at a very small gas station (since gone, LOL), and it always suprised me how much oil he sold to 'frantic' people and their 'knocking' cars...


I usually see this with younger women when their "add oil" (oil pressure warning) lamp starts flickering. Then they tie up the full serve island while the attendant hits on them as he adds three (or more) quarts.

I'll check every other fill, but will drive the 5 minutes back to the house if any top off is ever needed.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Mine never consumes anything but I still check it once in a while in the garage after it's been sitting for more than a few hours, or if I'm on a long road trip I'll try to check it once in a while, either at a gas station or at a hotel/destination.

 

[double vanos]

If you own a new BMW you check oil right there at the dashboard (and pray that the sensors aren't lying to you).

 

[Audi Junkie]

I check cold, but it's difficult because I have no level spots at home. I verify it when parked in a lot somewhere, but pretty much top-off at home. The Hondas burn zero oil for me.

 

[MGregoir]

Check any time the hood is up for whatever reason, generally don't consume oil so it's not a worry.

The old horse when I still did 5,000 km changes would get an oil change, wash, washer fluid topped off, inspected and cleaned out every second weekend as I miled out the oil.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: Bob The Builder
Typically, I top off my engine oil right in the "oil filler hole." It seems to get into the engine better and quicker that way.

j/k


Where is that Bob?

Is that the the hole in the valve cover that is revealed when I remove the 710 cap?



I was w--w--w--wondering when someone was gonna get that. Everyone is so serious lately. I mean, we should be jumping up and down. Bush said...Hey, let's drill offshore. And the oil price came down...just like that. Wow. Ok...off topic.

I check my oil usually about once every month or two just to be on the safe side. I just press my auto vehicle leveler and voila....level 96 Tacoma. It's a fantastic way to always have a level surface no mater where you're at.

 

[tsmay51]

I check my cummins diesel at the station while it is sucking up $140.00 in fuel these days. I check it about every 1000 miles or so. The wifes camry gets checked at home or sometimes at the station maybe three times between oil changes. Niether burn any noticeable amount at 5000 mile intervals.

 

[XS650]

I check oil at roughly 1000 mile intervals. None of our three vehicles require oil between changes so I don't get too retentive about it.

 

[BrewCityR]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Mine never consumes anything but I still check it once in a while in the garage after it's been sitting for more than a few hours, or if I'm on a long road trip I'll try to check it once in a while, either at a gas station or at a hotel/destination.


Of all the Hondas I have owned over the years, I have in fact pulled a dipstick when the engine is warm and it seems the oil splashes or reaches from the middle of the stick DOWN. The only good reading I get is when the engine has been off for 2+ hours, and IMO the ONLY time to check oil on any vehicle. I can't see how all or most the oil in ANY engine reaches the pan in just 5-10 minutes.

Third I, I hear ya. I am loving my zero oil burning 115k mile B20 in the CR-V! My previous car (200k mile '90 Civic Si, 1.6 l D16) used about one quart per 2500 miles and I had a habit of checking the oil weekly when I really didn't need to.

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: BrewCityR
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Mine never consumes anything but I still check it once in a while in the garage after it's been sitting for more than a few hours, or if I'm on a long road trip I'll try to check it once in a while, either at a gas station or at a hotel/destination.


Of all the Hondas I have owned over the years, I have in fact pulled a dipstick when the engine is warm and it seems the oil splashes or reaches from the middle of the stick DOWN. The only good reading I get is when the engine has been off for 2+ hours, and IMO the ONLY time to check oil on any vehicle. I can't see how all or most the oil in ANY engine reaches the pan in just 5-10 minutes.

Third I, I hear ya. I am loving my zero oil burning 115k mile B20 in the CR-V! My previous car (200k mile '90 Civic Si, 1.6 l D16) used about one quart per 2500 miles and I had a habit of checking the oil weekly when I really didn't need to.

FWIW, most of the oil, say more than 90 percent is in the pan within seconds.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`ve been fortunate (knocks on wood). I`ve never owned a car that`s ever leaked or used oil. I just always check all fluids (engine oil,coolant,brake,power steering,and clutch fluid) about once/twice a week just to keep everything in check.

But I always bring a spare quart of oil and a jug full of water anytime I take a road trip just in case. I also keep a complete set of metric tools with me as well.

 

[ThirdeYe]

aquarius - it must be because you use that 20W-50 molasses! haha, just pulling your leg

 

[WishIhadatruck]

It has been many years since I've had to top off a car other than when I first switched to PP on my Grand Prix. It seems to have stopped using oil. It might have been losing a little into the coolant as well but that is now fixed (intake gaskets). I just check it occasionally in my home garage. Usually when it has sat for the night and I can just pull out the dipstick and see the level with out needing to wipe it clean first.

 

[Gary Allan]

Checking it? Once a week in front of my house. I may do it when I fuel ..if I feel like it. Around here there are so many "mega" fuel stations and there's such a mix of pre-pay cash types (requiring going in and getting the cash assigned to the pump) that taking up time at the pump is not really an issue. I do tend to go for fuel at other than peak times.

Topping off? I dunno. I'll figure that out when I need to add some.

No, really, I have much of my active oil shrine stock at my son's garage (quality time with dad stuff) ..so it can usually wait until then. I never have to add oil to my jeeps.