If you’re a car enthusiast, you know that regular oil changes are one of the most important things to keep your engine running smoothly.
But what do you do if your engine is already hot and you need to add oil? Can you still do it, or will you damage your engine?
This article will explore whether or not you can add oil to a hot engine and, if so, how to do it safely.
Can You Add Oil To A Hot Engine?
There’s lots of arguing on the internet about whether it’s OK or not to add oil to a hot engine.
It is often a common problem for motorists to wonder whether adding oils to the hot combustion motor is a risky move. Generally speaking, a cold liquid that touches hot parts causes cracks. But how about oil and hot engine parts? Can you add cold oil to a hot engine?
It’s perfectly safe adding oil to a hot engine, whether you’re adding cold oil or changing the oil. Although it’s safe to put oil in a warm engine, the oil level should be controlled and corrected when the engine is cool.
If you don’t know which oil to use, you can enter the details of your vehicle on Mobil to get the exact oil needed for your car.
When you add oil to your engine, use caution to ensure there is no overfilling. The simplest method for doing this is to compare MIN and MAX markings as a reference for how much oil you should add.
If your car doesn’t have these markings, you can check your owner’s manual to determine how much oil is needed for your specific engine.
Overfilling the oil in your engine can cause severe damage. When too much engine oil is added, it causes a higher pressure inside the engine.
Too much motor oil, in turn, can cause leaks or gasket damage.
Additionally, overfilling the oil can cause the lubricant to foam, which reduces its ability to lubricate the engine and can lead to engine damage.
If you accidentally add too much oil to your engine, don’t start the engine. Draining some of the oil from the engine is the best way to fix the problem.
To drain some oil, remove the oil fill cap and place a pan underneath the oil drain plug. Unscrew the oil drain plug located on the oil pan and let the oil drain until it reaches the correct level.
What Is an Ideal Temperature to Add Oil?
The ideal engine temperature to add oil is when it’s warm but not hot.
If the engine is too cold, the oil will be thick and won’t flow into all the nooks and crannies of the engine. This can lead to dry starts, which can damage the engine.
On the other hand, if the engine is too hot, the oil will be thinner and will flow into the engine too easily. This can cause the oil to overfill the engine, which we already know can be damaging.
The best time to adding oil is when your engine is when it’s warm but not hot. This will ensure that the oil flows into the engine easily but won’t overfill it.
Although, checking the oil level when the engine is cool is still the best way to ensure accuracy.
How Can I Check Oil Levels?
You should check your oil level when the engine is cool.
Warm engines can give false readings on dipsticks, so it’s essential to wait until the engine is cool before checking the oil level.
Pop the hood and locate the dipstick. The dipstick will usually have a bright yellow or orange handle located on top of the engine near the front.
Here’s how you check the oil level in your car’s engine:
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean rag.
- Insert the dipstick into the engine, and pull it out again.
- Check the oil level on the dipstick.
The oil level should ideally be on MAX when the engine is cool. If not, more oil should be added until the level reaches the MAX mark. It’s OK to leave the oil level between MIN and MAX when the engine is cool, but you should avoid going below MIN.
Why It’s Important to Check the Oil Level
Checking your oil level regularly is important because it helps to keep your engine running smoothly.
If the oil level is low, it can cause the engine to overheat and lead to engine failure. An engine that is not appropriately lubricated will quite soon malfunction, causing expensive repairs.
Too much oil in an engine, on the other hand, can cause the engine to foam and lose its ability to lubricate properly.
This can also lead to engine failure. Additionally, it will cause the pressure in the engine to rise, which can lead to oil leaks or gasket damage.
Checking your oil level regularly is the best way to avoid these problems and keep your engine running smoothly.
How Oil Works In Your Car’s Engine
The engine oil is transferred inside of an engine through the use of a pump. The oil pump is located in the engine, and it helps to circulate the oil throughout the engine.
The engine itself powers the oil pump, and it helps to ensure that the engine is properly lubricated at all times.
One of the main jobs of oil in your car’s engine is to lubricate the many moving parts. This helps to reduce friction between the parts, which can cause unnecessary wear or even engine failure.
Additionally, motor oil helps to cool the engine by transferring heat away from the moving parts. Parts such as the piston or cylinder head can generate a lot of heat, and oil helps to keep them cool.
Engine oil will help to clean the engine by suspending dirt and debris in the engine so the oil filter can filter it out to keep the engine clean.
Oil also cleans the engine by collecting dirt and debris. Over time, this dirt and debris can build up and cause problems.
Why You Have to Change the Oil Regularly
The engine oil will eventually break down over time, becoming less effective and reducing the lubrication effectiveness. Additionally, the oil will collect dirt and debris over time, causing sludge buildup.
The sludge can clog up the engine and cause damage. For these reasons, it’s important to change the engine oil regularly to ensure that your engine is properly lubricated and free of debris.
For these reasons, it’s important to change the oil regularly. How often you need to change your oil depends on your car and your driving habits.
When to Change Your Engine Oil
Engine oil should be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 – 12,000 kilometers), or every six months, whichever comes first.
If you drive your car in cold, dusty or dirty conditions, you may need to change your oil more often.
Additionally, if you drive your car frequently in stop-and-go traffic or at high speeds, you may need to change your oil more often.
How to Change Your Engine Oil
Most people know that engines need a regular oil change, but many don’t know how to do it themselves.
Changing your engine oil is a relatively simple process and can be done with just a few basic tools. This section will explain how to change your engine oil quickly and easily at home.
To change your engine oil, you’ll need the following supplies:
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Funnel
- Socket wrench
- Oil drain pan
- Clean, lint-free cloths
How to Change Engine Oil at Home:
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Turn off the engine.
- Jack up your car using a jack and place it on jack stands.
- Locate the oil drain plug at the bottom of the engine. The oil drain plug is usually located near the edge of the oil pan.
- Place the oil drain pan underneath the oil drain plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench.
- Allow the used oil to drain out of the engine into the drip pan for several minutes.
- Remove the oil filter.
- Lubricate the new oil filters O-ring gasket. This is an important step to avoid leakage from the oil filter.
- Install the new oil filter.
- Tighten the new oil filter in place by hand, don’t overtighten the oil filter.
- Change the oil plug gasket to a new one, if necessary, replace the hardware.
- Put the oil plug back into the drain hole and tighten it. Be careful not to strip or over-tighten the oil drain plug.
- Add new engine oil to the engine, using a funnel. The oil level should be between the “full” and “add” marks on the dipstick. Be sure not to overfill the engine with oil.
- Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to allow the new oil to circulate throughout the engine.
- Turn off the engine and check the oil level with the dipstick. The oil level should be between the “full” and “add” marks on the dipstick.
- Add more oil if necessary.
- Wipe up any spilled oil with a clean, lint-free cloth.
- Screw on the oil cap.
- Dispose of the used and excess engine oil and filter properly.
Here’s a detailed video guide by the well known DIY mechanic ChrisFix:
Summary
Engine oil is important for your car because it keeps the engine lubricated and cool, and it cleans the engine by suspending dirt and debris.
It’s harmless adding oil while the engine is hot, but you should check the oil level with the dipstick while the engine is cool to avoid overfilling.
If you’re not sure how to change your engine oil, you can take your car to a mechanic or an auto shop.
