When to add oil to the engine and how to do it right: on a cold or hot motor
The working fluid in the engine lubrication system is engine oil. In different units, the amount of oil poured differs, which depends on the working volume of the internal combustion engine, its physical size and a number of other features.
A mechanical probe is used to control the oil level on most engines, however, some power plants do not have it. In this case, a separate electronic indicator is implemented on the instrument panel. There are still combined solutions.
Usually, in the course of operation for various reasons there can be a decrease in oil level. Since it is impossible to continue to operate the engine with a low level of lubricant, in this case you need to know, how much oil to add to the engine, as well as how to do it without harm to the internal combustion engine.
In this article, we intend to talk about it, when to add oil to the engine, how to do it right, in which cases you can add other oil to the engine without risk, as well as under what conditions it may cause possible damage to the unit or is strictly prohibited.
How often to add oil to the engine
As already mentioned, oil in the engine is topped up in different cases. The level of oil can go both for natural reasons, and fall as a result of engine failures, after incorrect selection and mismatch of the type of product used, changes in the properties of the lubricant, etc.. P.
To understand, you need to add oil to the engine, it is necessary to check its level, putting the car on a level surface. It is desirable to check the level of "cold", after several hours of inactivity, that is, when the oil drains completely into the pan. It will be enough to wait for a quick check 5-15 minutes, but such an analysis may be more approximate, than accurate.
Taking into account the peculiarities of a particular internal combustion engine, can be understood, whether topping up is needed and how often it is needed. In some cases it is necessary to add oil, example, every thousand kilometers, which is inherently faulty units with high oil consumption due to wear of LPG, leak seals, gaskets, seals.
In other internal combustion engines the level is stable, that is, the lubricating fluid is not topped up from replacement to replacement. Also, the level can be stable in the city and medium load modes, however, after driving on the track at high speeds, there is a decrease. In this situation, remember, that the oil in the modes of high loadings is spent on waste, as is often stated by engine manufacturers themselves.
Moreover, may be specified separately in the manual, that oil consumption is not only permissible, but also to what extent it is normal for a particular engine. Based on all that has been said, can be understood, what frequency of topping up will be suitable in this or that case.
How to add oil to the engine: in winter, in summer, in cold or hot internal combustion engines
Let's start with that, that refueling is often done cold. It is topped up in a cold engine for that reason, which makes it easier and faster to determine the required level, that is, avoid possible underfilling or overflow of lubricant.
As practice shows, in winter, especially in severe frosts, it is best to warm up the engine first, then give it time to cool, as well as drain and "defend" lubricants. This preheating will allow the thickened lubricant to return to proper fluidity.
After that the motor cools down, but the lubricating fluid still remains diluted, that is, the level can be determined fairly accurately. Next is topping up, available in the internal combustion engine and fresh oil are easily mixed into a homogeneous mass.
However, it also happens, that you have to add oil to the hot engine (example, when the emergency pressure lamp lights up) while driving. This situation is quite common and becomes an occasion for such questions, what will be, if the driver added cold oil to the hot engine.
In this case, it is important to consider not only the correctness of the level, but also what temperature the lubricant has, which is topped up. You should also pay attention to that, to what extent such topping up takes place. For a better understanding, let's imagine a standard situation, when the car owner was driving on the highway, the motor was warmed up to operating temperatures, but then the low pressure light in the lubrication system came on.
Naturally, the driver stopped, shut down the power unit and found a low oil level. Then he immediately took a canister out of the trunk and added a liter of oil to the engine. If it happens in the summer, then the main risk will be unless overflow or underfilling, ie inaccuracies as a result of topping up "hot". But if it happens in winter, then the situation is somewhat different.
It's not hard to guess, that the lubricating fluid in the trunk will be very cold, that is, when pouring into a warm engine there will be a strong temperature difference. If such a lubricating fluid is not poured 50-100 grams, and a liter or more, then the consequences can be unpredictable.
We also recommend reading the article about it, what will be, if you pour oil into the engine. In this article you will learn about the possible consequences of exceeding the permissible level of engine oil in the engine.
Experts note, that in such a situation the risk of not only exceeding the level or underfilling increases significantly, but also the appearance of cracks in the block, heads, on details, as well as other defects in relation to individual elements of the internal combustion engine. Given the above, it becomes clear, for which the engine must be given time to cool before refueling, and in winter it is especially relevant.
If there is no suitable oil on hand for topping up
Motorists are often faced with the urgent need to add oil to a different viscosity engine, have to use third-party oil, there is no other way out, except how to add diesel oil to the gasoline engine, etc.. P.
Note, that in some emergencies such actions are perfectly acceptable. It is important to know, when you can add oil to the engine of another brand, which type of oil is best to use, what volume of lubricant to pour. Let's understand.
Let's start with that, that mixing different types of lubricants even from one manufacturer is not recommended. The point is, that each product has a unique package of active chemical additives. These additives when mixed can react, which leads to precipitation, the oil in the engine coagulates, loses its properties.
For this reason it should, primarily, avoid mixing materials with different bases. This means, that mineral oil cannot be mixed with synthetic, it is also highly undesirable to mix it with hydrocracking products.
It is allowed to mix mineral water with semi-synthetics and vice versa. Synthetic lubricant can also be added to the semi-synthetic product, and synthetics to make the addition of semi-synthetic material.
It is recommended not to mix hydrocracking oils as with mineral, and synthetic oils. However, in case of extreme necessity, they may be mixed with mineral-based oils. Let's add, that in case of urgent need and absence of a possibility of a choice it is possible to add any oil, as work without greasing will unequivocally destroy the motor.
We will add, that the best option is to mix oils from one manufacturer, which have the same basis. In this case, the risks are minimal. If, example, add to the semi-synthetic of one brand exactly the same characteristics of semi-synthetic oil of another brand, then side effects may occur.
Now let's turn to the so-called universal oils, which can be used equally in diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines, as well as consider the possibility of topping up diesel oil in the gasoline unit and vice versa.
First, diesel oil is not much different from gasoline in many respects, that is, such oil can be topped up in an emergency. Universal oils are an alternative, that is, have balanced characteristics, suitable for both types of engines.
The main thing, the above recommendations must be observed before refilling. It is also important to remember, that the power unit should not be loaded while driving on such a mixture of oils.
At the first opportunity, the mixed oil must be completely removed from the engine, then replace with the type of oil recommended for the specific engine together with the oil filter. Let's add, that additional oil flushing or reduction of the subsequent service interval on can be required before oil change 30-50%.
Add oil to the engine: step-by-step instructions for beginners
- so, making sure of the need for topping up and deciding on that, what oil will be added to the engine, it is necessary to put the car on a level surface.
- Then let the engine cool down (it is advisable to leave the car for a few hours), and allow the oil to drain completely into the pan.
- Now you need to get to the oil filler neck. This neck is under the lid, which is located at the top of the cylinder head. Most often, the lid has an icon in the form of a buttercup with a drop of oil.
- Next, unscrew the cover, you can also wipe with a clean cloth, then postpone.
- Then you need to make your own or insert a ready-made funnel in the oil filler neck. The upper part of the plastic bottle is suitable for self-manufacturing, which is enough to cut off from the base.
pay attention, in the process of all manipulations do not allow dirt to get, saw, rubbish, foreign liquids or objects into the oil filler neck. A homemade or ready-made funnel must also be completely clean.
The presence of a funnel allows you to carefully add oil, moreover, without the risk of spilling lubricant on the cylinder block and cylinder head. Getting oil on these parts will lead to its further burning out from high temperature, the appearance of smoke and odor.
We also recommend reading the article about it, in which cases it is permissible, and when mixing motor oils of different types and manufacturers is prohibited. In this article you will learn about it, which oils to use for topping up with minimal risks.
Motor oils also disable rubber elements, soften the insulation, all sorts of seals and similar elements in the hood space. If the oil was still spilled, then it is recommended to carefully wipe it with a rag.
- When topping up, the oil should not be added immediately, and gradually. This means, that of the canister should be poured over 100-200 ml at a time. Next, you need to allow the oil to drain from the cylinder head into the pan. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Then the level is checked, then you can continue to refill the lubricant if necessary.
- When checking the probe level, the probe must first be removed, then wipe it with a clean cloth, then re-insert all the way into the hole and remove again. Only after re-removal can the oil level in the pan be assessed.
- After, as the oil level on the probe will be strictly between the marks "MIN" and "MAX", it is necessary to insert it tightly into the hole and tighten the oil filler cap.
- The final step will be to start the engine. Evaluate the performance of the internal combustion engine for extraneous noise, knocked, vibration. Watch your team carefully, so that the oil pressure light does not flash on the instrument panel, the electronic level did not show an insufficient amount of oil, did not burn "check".
- Next, warm up the power unit, make a test drive. After that it is recommended to allow the engine to cool down, after which the oil level is checked again. If the level decreases again, fresh stains from under the lids, glands or seals, visible traces of oil under the car, then the engine needs in-depth diagnostics and repair.
Remember, driving with low oil levels can quickly disable the engine. For this reason, in some emergencies, it is recommended to abandon attempts to get to the service station on their own. If oil leaks are intense, then it is best to use a tow truck.
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