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

[addyguy]

As in, do you check and top it off (if needed) at home, or do you check&top off at a gas station, or somewhere else, like work?

It just always suprises me the number of people I see topping off oil at gas stations. The oil there is horribly over-priced, you don't much time to do it 'properly', 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'm sure if you went to a gas station when it was quiet, you'd have plenty of time to do it 'properly', but I just wouldn't want to feel any stress/people watching me while I do this. I check at home or at a family members location, after having let the engine sit for 5+ minutes...

 

[buster]

I use the same exact spot every time to ensure accuracy. I do it at home. Flat ground.

 

[javacontour]

Since I carry a quart in my trunk and check it every time I fill up, I typically top off at a gas station.

Just because I do it there doesn't mean I'm paying their prices for oil.

 

[cos]

I used to do it at the gas station with my own oil because my driveway wasn't level or if parked on the street it was a hill. Now I do it in my garage.

 

[javacontour]

I should say it depends on the vehicle. My '94 Geo Prizm, it's at the gas station. If it's my wife's ride, it's usually Saturday AM in the garage.

Ditto for the minivan. I don't carry a quart in there and we are usually traveling as a family, so it's checked before trips and on the weekends.

The Geo and the Camry are pretty predictable, needing a quart about 2K miles into a 5K conventional oil OCI. The minivan might need 8oz in that same period (not bad for a 2002 Toyota 1MZ 3.0L V6!)

Of course oilBabe's 2002 Camry is just under 190K on the clock now and I think has worn valve guides as I've noticed a cloud of blue smoke when wifey starts the car.

The Geo Prizm with 225K (well it will turn that probably on 9/4 or 9/5) is leaking a bit and probably burning it as well and is consuming at about the same rate as the 2002 Camry.

So that's a long, "it depends"

 

[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

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: buster
I use the same exact spot every time to ensure accuracy. I do it at home. Flat ground.

Same here.

 

[Paul56]

I carry a couple of quarts oil along with a bunch of other "just in case" stuff in the trunk. In fact, right now my trunk is so full of car stuff there is barely any room for much else.

I never check the oil at the gas station, but will check it anywhere else where the vehicle appears to be reasonably level and I will at least have some idea if it is down.

I'm generally compulsive about this and end up checking it several times/week. Never have to add any driving around town even though plenty of the "town" driving is done at highway speeds. Usually have to add a bit after a long highway trip (500 miles or more). I will check the oil during the trip or after and top off as necessary.

 

[heathenbrewing]

At home, in the morning before the car has been started. I figure this is the most accurate way to check it as all of the oil is in the pan after 10 hours of sitting.

I use to do it on a weekly basis. Now its every 2-3 weeks as the oil level rarely moves. I might have to add an ounce or two between changes, but never more than that. I like the level to be matched to the highest full mark on the stick.

 

[wavinwayne]

None of my vehicles consumes a noticeable amount of oil, so I never have to top up.

 

[02zx9r]

like wayne said, i dont have to top off my corolla( hopefully will never have to). I do check it once a week just because and it is always right at the full line. My recent run of synpower of 6250 miles was always at full, granted only 12K on the car but...

 

[mechtech2]

Same as wavinwayne - it is not an issue for me anymore.

 

[demarpaint]

Only one of my 3 vehicles uses oil, and that's about 1 qt in 3,000 miles, so I top it off at about 1,500-1,700 miles. The driveway is fairly level, and I do it in the morning. I usually check the oil about every 1,000 miles, and on the vehicle that uses it, about every 500 miles I'll check. Been doing it that way for a long time.

Frank D

 

[firemachine69]

I'll admit... I haven't checked the dipstick of my Yaris since my last OC.

My Sunfire, which hasn't even accumulated a mile in six months, somehow has had the oil level checked four times.

 

[OVERKILL]

All my Ford's have a low oil light which tells you when you are down exactly a litre.

Whilst the Mustang motor has all new seals and thus doesn't leak, the Lincoln's rear main leaks a little bit, so I end up adding ~1L once per OCI.

 

[GMFan]

In the suburbs of NYC you'd be shot if you hogged the pump checking your oil. Home for me...in the garage.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

Every other Sunday morning I check my oil level, on my 2007 5.4 3v F-150 SuperCrew!

 

[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?

 

[BuickGN]

As bad as it sounds, I don't check the oil in the TL anymore. With the ACD, it doesn't use any measurable amount of oil. I figure if it gets a leak, I will see it otherwise I know it will be fine until the next change. If I have the hood open for other reasons I will check the oil level and trans level just because I'm under there already.

GN gets checked every day it's in use. Both cars at home of course.

 

[Eddie]

I keep checking a checking for the last 25 years but, never found the oil more than a few mm low. I check at home and if on vacation, I check cold at the motel.