Can I use a different oil to top up?
You can add any engine oil as long as it has the right specifications — preferably with an official approval of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Not the brand, but the specification and viscosity indicated in your car’s manual are your reference for using the right oil.
Does it matter which oil I put in my car?
The most important thing is to use oil that’s the right thickness, or viscosity, for your car’s engine. Oil that’s too thick or thin won’t provide the necessary protection for your engine, which can result in costly damage. The standards required for your car will also be listed in your owner’s manual.
When do you need to top up your engine oil?
Car maintenance matters, topping up your engine oil when it is required is really important for your car. How to TOP UP your engine oil If dipstick tells you that your oil level is low, you should top up your engine oil as soon as possible. The first step in doing this is to make sure you add the right oil.
What’s the best way to top up an engine?
Once you have your oil, make sure your car is again parked on level ground. Your engine should be cool, and you should wait at least 20 minutes to give the oil time to drain fully back into the sump. 1. Check the oil level again to see how much oil is required 2. Unscrew and remove the oil filler cap 3.
Do you have to use the same oil for every car?
Engine oils aren’t all the same. You can’t assume that the same oil you used for your last car will work for this one. So if you need to top-up, make sure you use the right grade and specification. Why should I check my oil? Which oil does my car need? What’s engine oil viscosity? What are 5W-30 and 5W-40? What are engine oil specifications?
What should I do if I put too much oil in my car?
Wait a couple of minutes to let the oil run down into the bottom of the engine and then recheck the level on the dipstick. Putting too much oil into your car is just as bad as having too little. So make sure you don’t overdo it. Having engine problems? Checked your oil and found the level’s low?
What kind of oil do I need to top up my car?
Before you top it up, make sure you know which oil your car needs. Using the wrong oil can damage your engine, so check your car’s handbook. It’s important to use oil that meets the right technical specifications (ACEA, API, VW, etc). It also needs to be the right grade (the numbers separated by a ‘w’, such as 5w30).
When to add more oil to your car?
You need to give the oil a few minutes to drain from the top of the engine down to the tank where the oil sits when the car isn’t running. Checking the level of your oil is essential for knowing whether you need to add more oil to your engine or not.
Do you top off the oil when you replace it?
When you replace, you then top off the oil as needed. While logically it may have the sound of truth to it, realistically you’ve probably caused irreparable damage to your internals. An engine which may have lasted 200k miles, might now only last 100k.
Can you check and top up your car engine oil?
But it’s also one of the simplest to do by yourself. In your annual car service, the mechanic will drain the old oil, replace the oil filter and re-fill with new oil. But you can check your oil and top it up yourself in minutes. We recommend that you don’t wait until your yearly service.