Proper replacement of engine oil in a car engine. Why do you pour oil into the engine?

The frequency of engine oil changes is determined by the maintenance regulations. However, any engine internal combustion consumes lubricants during operation. In some cars this is provided by the manufacturer.

Filling oil into a Hyundai engine

Used or faulty engines consume motor lubricant above the norm. In any case, car owners are faced with the need to compensate for the waste of lubricant.

How to add oil to the engine without causing damage to it? It would seem that everything is simple: you need to initially purchase consumables with a reserve, and add lubricant during consumption (planned or not).

However, packaging is not always rational in terms of volume, and the car owner has to overpay for extra liters, which are not always in demand.

How much oil should I add to the engine?

To control the level, an oil dipstick is provided in any internal combustion engine. It is necessary to make it a rule to check the volume of technical fluids at least once a week.

The easiest way is to do this before you start moving. If your car is in a garage or parked: before starting the engine, open the hood, remove the dipstick, and wipe it dry. Then put it back in and take it out again.

Engine oil level on dipstick

The main condition is a flat horizontal surface: if you park on a curb, the readings will be incorrect. The oil mark should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.

As a rule, the difference between these marks is 1 liter. It is not necessary to strictly maintain the middle; an oil trace anywhere between the marks means a normal level.

Important! Excess oil is no less harmful than too low a level. “Extra” lubricant gets on piston group, under the influence of temperature, it separates into components and falls out in the form of slag. Sediments clog oil channels, disrupting circulation.

In addition, excess lubricant leads to an increase in pressure in the crankcase, as a result of which oil seals or gaskets can become depressurized: they are simply squeezed out of seats. Excess fluid loads oil pump, this leads to accelerated wear.

Respectively, low level leads to oil starvation(consequences may lead to unplanned major repairs).

How to properly add oil to the engine?

it is necessary to approximately determine the missing volume (if the mark is at the “MIN” level, it will be 0.5 l), and add fresh lubricant;
after which you need to start the engine, let it run for 5-10 minutes, turn it off, and wait 10 minutes until the lubricant drains to the bottom of the crankcase;
measure the level again (take out the dipstick, wipe it, insert it and take it out again).

It is enough to carry out this procedure once, and you will know exactly how much liquid is between the two marks on the dipstick.

Is it possible to add oil from another manufacturer to the engine?

Basically, trademark does not determine the characteristics of lubricants. If characteristics SAE viscosity and API tolerances comply, there won’t be a big problem when mixing.

Of course, the ideal option is to have a supply of oil, which you filled in at the next maintenance. But in practice this is not always possible.

The fundamental issue is the conformity of the basis. Mineral oil cannot be added to synthetics, and it is not recommended to mix with semi-synthetics. IN critical situation, if the level drops on the road, and you do not have a supply of the “correct” oil with you, you can add synthetic to semi-synthetic.

Emergency situation: the lubricant level is critically low, it is impossible to select the correct consumable.

In this case, fill in any oil that is as close as possible in terms of characteristics. Here we choose the “best of two evils”: without oil, the engine will definitely fail, but with the “wrong” lubrication you can make it to a service station.

The main thing is to drive at low speeds without overloading the power plant. When you get to the place where you can service the car, immediately change the oil, if possible, flushing the engine.

When to add oil to the engine?

The question is rather rhetorical. Of course, immediately after detecting a low level. As a rule, the car owner knows what the car's lubricant consumption is. By regularly looking at the odometer, you can accurately determine the need to replenish the volume. At the same time, no one canceled regular monitoring.

If before the next routine maintenance 1000-1500 km left, there is no point in spending fresh engine oil for topping up Carry out maintenance ahead of schedule. At the same time, you should purchase new oil with a reserve, since you know exactly how much fluid will have to be added during the service period.

Is it possible to fill in engine oil “with a reserve”?

No, you can't do that. If you know for sure that the engine “eats” oil, and there is a danger of ending up in the middle of the highway with a critically low level, fill the fluid up to the “MAX” mark (not higher!), and check the level as often as possible. Always keep a liter canister of reserve in the trunk.

How to properly add oil to the engine - video

In any case, when critical high flow rate engine oil, it is necessary to identify the cause and put the engine in order.

Among the important procedures that are performed during vehicle maintenance, topping up or changing engine oil is not the least important. What functions does it perform? Why does the engine need it? Internet hypermarket "RAVTA" will answer your questions.

The main task of engine oil is to prevent wear of parts, thereby ensuring their correct functioning. Let's see what loads the surfaces of a running engine are exposed to. Firstly, this is constant friction, which contributes to wear, the formation of scoring, cracks and similar problems. Secondly, the details are influenced high temperatures, especially when the engine is running at full power. Third, difficult conditions Outdoor use always provokes corrosion, which has a destructive effect on metals. Fourthly, when fuel burns, soot and deposits are formed, which, if accumulated, can damage the engine.

What will help you overcome all these difficulties? That's right, high-quality motor oil. It lubricates the surfaces of parts, thereby reducing friction, making movement easier. Another function is abduction elevated temperature. In addition, correctly selected oil ensures the cleanliness of parts, without forming deposits and removing fuel combustion products. And finally, lubricant prevents corrosion processes. This is why many experts call motor oil not just something consumables, but an important part of the engine design - after all, without its participation, the engine will not last a day.

It is obvious that to achieve such high operational properties The composition of the oil is carefully studied; engineers from the world's leading companies are constantly working on its development and improvement. Moreover, each component has its own, unique purpose.

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Its physical dimensions and a number of other features.

To control the lubricant level, most engines use a mechanical dipstick, but some power plants they don't have it. In this case, on dashboard a separate electronic indicator has been implemented. There are also combined solutions.

As a rule, during operation, a decrease in the lubricant level may occur for various reasons. Since it is impossible to continue operating 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 this without harm to it.

In this article, we intend to talk about when to add oil to the engine, how to do it correctly, in which cases you can add another oil to the engine without risk, and also under what conditions this can cause possible harm to the unit or is strictly prohibited.

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How often to add oil to the engine

As already mentioned, oil is added to the engine in different cases. The lubrication level may decrease due to natural reasons or drop as a result of engine breakdowns, after incorrect selection and inconsistencies in the type of product used, changes in the properties of the lubricant, etc.

To understand whether it is necessary to add oil to the engine, you need to check its level by placing the car on a level surface. It is advisable to check the level “cold”, after several hours of inactivity, that is, when the lubricant has completely drained into the pan. For quick check It will be enough to wait 5-15 minutes, but such an analysis may be more approximate than accurate.

Taking into account the characteristics of a particular internal combustion engine, you can understand whether topping up is needed and how often it is necessary. In some cases, it is necessary to add lubricant, for example, every thousand kilometers, which is typical for faulty units with increased oil consumption as a result of wear, gaskets, and seals.

In other internal combustion engines, the level remains stable, that is, lubricant is not added from replacement to replacement. Also, the level can be stable in the city and in medium load modes, but after driving on the highway at high speed a decrease is observed. In such a situation, it should be remembered that lubrication in modes high loads is wasted, as the engine manufacturers themselves often state.

Moreover, the manual may separately indicate that oil consumption is not only acceptable, but also within what limits it is normal for a particular engine. Based on all that has been said, you can understand what frequency of topping is suitable in a given case.

How to add oil to the engine: in winter, in summer, in a cold or hot internal combustion engine

Let's start with the fact that adding lubricant is often done when it is cold. It is topped up in cold engine due to the fact that it is easier and faster to determine required level, that is, to avoid possible underfilling or overfilling of lubricant.

As practice shows, in winter period, especially when severe frosts, it is best to first warm up the engine, then give it time to cool, and also for the lubricant to drain and “settle.” Such preheating will allow the highly thickened lubricant to return to its proper fluidity.

After this, the engine cools down, but the lubricating fluid still remains diluted, that is, the level can be determined quite accurately. Next, topping up is done; the existing lubricant in the internal combustion engine and fresh lubricant are easily mixed into a homogeneous mass.

However, it also happens that you have to add oil to the hot engine(for example, ) while driving. This situation is quite common and becomes the reason for questions of the kind that would happen if the driver added cold oil to a hot engine.

In this case, it is important to take into account not only the correct level, but also what temperature the lubricant is that is being added. You should also pay attention to the volume to which such topping occurs. For a better understanding, let's imagine a standard situation when a car owner was driving along the highway, the engine was warmed up to operating temperatures, but then the light came on low pressure in the lubrication system.

Naturally, the driver stopped and turned off power unit and found the oil level was low. Then he immediately took a canister out of the trunk and added a liter of oil to the engine. If this happens in the summer, then the main risk will be perhaps overfilling or underfilling in level, that is, inaccuracy as a result of topping up “hot”. But if it happens in winter, then the situation is somewhat different.

It is not difficult to guess that the lubricant in the trunk will be very cold, that is, when poured into a warm engine, a strong temperature difference will occur. If such lubricating fluid If you pour in not 50-100 grams, but a whole liter or more, then the consequences can be unpredictable.

Experts note that in such a situation, the risk of not only exceeding or underfilling the level, but also the appearance of parts, as well as other defects in relation to individual internal combustion engine elements. Taking into account the above, it becomes clear why the engine needs to be given time to cool before adding lubricant, and this is especially important in winter.

If you don’t have the right oil on hand to add

Quite often, car enthusiasts face an urgent need to add oil to an engine of a different viscosity; they have to use a third-party lubricant; there is no other option but to top it up, etc.

Note that in some emergency situations such actions are completely acceptable. At the same time, it is important to know when you can add oil to an engine of a different brand, what type of lubricant is better to use, and how much lubricant to fill. Let's figure it out.

Let's start with what to mix Various types Lubricants from even the same manufacturer are not recommended. The fact is that each product has a unique package of active chemical additives. When mixed, these additives can react, which leads to sedimentation, the oil in the engine coagulates and loses its properties.

In this case, mixing mineral water with semi-synthetics and vice versa is allowed. You can also add to a semi-synthetic product synthetic lubricant, and add semi-synthetic material to synthetics.

It is recommended not to mix hydrocracking oils with either mineral or synthetic lubricants. However, in case of emergency, they can be mixed with oils for mineral based. Let us add that in case of urgent need and there is no choice, you can add any oil, since operation without lubrication will definitely destroy the engine.

Let's also add that the best option can be considered mixing oils from the same manufacturer that have the same base. In this case, the risks are minimal. If, for example, you add exactly the same characteristics to semi-synthetics of one brand semi-synthetic oil another brand, then undesirable reactions may well occur.

Now let's turn to the so-called universal oils, which equally can be used in diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines, and also consider the possibility of adding diesel oil to gasoline unit and vice versa.

First, diesel oil does not differ much from gasoline in many respects, that is, such lubricant can be added to emergency situation. Universal oils and are completely an alternative, that is, they have balanced characteristics suitable for both types of engines.

The main thing is that before adding lubricant, you must take into account the above recommendations. It is also important to remember that when driving with such a mixture of oils, you should not load the power unit.

As soon as possible mixed oil must be completely removed from the internal combustion engine, and then replaced with the one recommended for specific engine type of lubricant along with oil filter. We add that before changing the oil, you may need to additionally flush the engine or reduce the further service interval by 30-50%.

Adding oil to the engine: step-by-step instructions for beginners

So, having made sure of the need for topping up and decided on what kind of oil will be added to the engine, you need to park the car on a level surface.
Then let the engine cool (it is advisable to leave the car for several hours), and also allow the oil to completely drain into the sump.
Now you need to get to the oil filler neck. The specified neck is located under the cap, which is located in the upper part. Most often, the lid has a pictogram in the form of an oil can with a drop of oil.
Next, you should unscrew the lid, you can also wipe it with a clean rag, and then set it aside.
Then you will need to make it yourself or insert a ready-made funnel into the oil filler neck. For self-made the top will fit plastic bottle, which just needs to be cut off from the base.

Please note that during all manipulations, do not allow dirt, dust, debris, foreign liquids or objects to enter the oil filler neck. A homemade or ready-made funnel must also be absolutely clean.

The presence of a funnel allows you to carefully add oil, without the risk of spilling lubricant on the cylinder block and cylinder head. Oil getting on these parts will lead to subsequent burnout from high heat, the appearance of smoke and an unpleasant odor.

Also, motor oils damage rubber elements, soften insulation, all kinds of seals and similar elements in engine compartment. If oil is spilled, then it is recommended to thoroughly wipe it off with a rag.

When topping up, oil should not be added immediately, but gradually. This means that 100-200 ml should be poured from the canister at a time. Next, you need to allow the lubricant to drain from the cylinder head into the pan. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Then the level is checked, after which you can continue to add lubricant again if necessary.
When checking the level using the dipstick, you must first remove the dipstick, then wipe it with a clean cloth, then reinsert it into the hole until it stops and remove it again. Only after repeated removal can the lubricant level in the pan be assessed.
After the oil level on the dipstick is strictly between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, you need to insert it tightly into the hole and screw on the oil filler cap.
The final step will be starting the engine. Rate engine operation on the subject extraneous noise, knocks, vibrations. Make sure that the oil pressure light on the dashboard does not light up, that the electronic level does not indicate an insufficient amount of oil, or
Next, warm up the power unit and take a test drive. After this, it is recommended to let the engine cool, after which the oil level is checked again. If there is a noticeable decrease in the level again, fresh leaks have appeared from under the covers, oil seals or seals, traces of oil are visible under the car, then the engine needs in-depth diagnostics and repairs.

Remember, driving with low oil levels can quickly damage the internal combustion engine. For this reason, in some emergency cases It is recommended that you stop trying to get to the service station on your own. If the oil leaks are intense, then it is best to use a tow truck.

Engine oil

Most likely, the first thing you learned about your first car is that it is necessary to check the engine oil level and periodically replace it. This work must be carried out in most cars in which, as a rule, it is possible to check the fluid level.

In most cars, to check the oil level, you need to turn off the engine, open the hood, find the oil dipstick, which you need to pull out and wipe it. After this, you need to insert the clean dipstick back into the engine block for a short time and pull it out again, checking the oil level. If the oil level does not correspond to the minimum permitted value, then it is necessary to add engine oil to the normal level. Remember that than older car, the more often you will have to add oil. If the car burns a large amount of oil, then you need to contact a car repair shop to diagnose the engine.

How often should you check your engine oil: Once upon a time, car manufacturers recommended checking the engine oil level every time you refueled at a gas station. These days in modern cars such frequent checking is not necessary. A check once a month is sufficient.

How often does the engine oil need to be changed: It depends on the car manufacturer, on driving style, on climatic conditions operation of the vehicle, the year of manufacture of the vehicle and much more. Some people say that the oil needs to be changed every 5,000 kilometers or every 6 months. Some people, on the contrary, believe that it is necessary every 15,000-20,000 km. In order to find out exactly how often an oil change is needed, you need to refer to the car manual (or service book) where the manufacturer recommends oil change intervals.

Gearbox oil

Your transmission does difficult work, transmitting engine torque to the wheel drive. Thanks to it, the car accelerates smoothly and quickly. In many cars, you can also check the transmission oil, just like you check the oil in a motor. The difference between checking the oil in the gearbox and checking the oil in the engine is that the engine must be running.

Unlike motor oil, transmission oil is located inside a closed system, so the oil level in the box cannot be low.

If the oil level in the transmission is low, then, without adding oil to the box, contact a specialized car service to diagnose box depressurization and oil leakage. When checking the oil in the box, the color of the liquid, viscosity and smell are checked.

The oil in the box should be red in color and not contain a burnt smell. If the liquid has Brown color and it smells like burning, then you need to change the oil in the box.

How often should you check the oil in the box: Monthly.

How often should you change the oil in the box: It depends on the type, brand and model. Also, the frequency of replacement depends on the type of transmission. But, as a rule, in most cars the frequency of oil changes in the box is from 80,000 to 160,000.

Coolant (antifreeze)

As the name suggests, coolant, otherwise called antifreeze, cools the car engine from overheating. If the coolant level is below normal, then most likely our car will overheat. The coolant is located inside the radiator. You can check its level by simply unscrewing the radiator cap or cap expansion tank antifreeze (depending on the make and model of the car, the cap is located in different places under the hood). Remember that antifreeze testing should be done with a cold engine, which must be turned off. If the fluid level is low, then it is necessary to add antifreeze to the required minimum level.

How often to check the antifreeze level: At least twice a year. In spring and autumn. We recommend that you check the coolant level every time you open the hood of your car. This is not difficult to do, but it will help avoid unexpected fluid leaks as a result of depressurization of the engine cooling system.

How often to change antifreeze: Once every 2-3 years.

Brake fluid

Just like a transmission, brake fluid is contained within a closed system, so the fluid level in the brake system should never be low. However, checking the fluid level is necessary to avoid unexpected breakdowns brake system. The brake fluid container is located under the hood of the car. Basically, the fluid reservoir is located on the left side of the machine. To check the fluid level, you just need to look at the level from the side. Color is also checked brake fluid. It should be golden in color. If the color is brown or darker, the brake fluid needs to be replaced.

How often to check brake fluid: Every time you change the engine oil.

How often to change brake fluid: Every two years.

Power steering fluid

Your power steering helps you make your steering feel soft and light. When the power steering fluid level becomes low, you may hear a squeaking sound in the steering wheel or other strange noises. To check the power steering fluid level, you need to find a special reservoir under the hood where this fluid is located. Usually, to check the power steering fluid level, you just need to look inside the reservoir. Typically, the fluid level in the power steering does not drop to minimum values. Therefore, if you find a low level in the reservoir where the power steering fluid is filled, then you need to do diagnostics at a car service center to identify a possible fluid leak from the steering system.

How often to check the power steering fluid: Once a month.

How often should you change the power steering fluid: Not earlier than 80,000 km or never. Manufacturers usually recommend not changing power steering fluid until, for some reason, the fluid drops below the specified level. But not in all cars the fluid in the hydraulic booster is not changeable. In many models, manufacturers recommend changing the fluid every 80,000 kilometers of the vehicle. Carefully read your vehicle's manual to find out how often the power steering fluid in your vehicle needs to be changed.

It is logical that before you begin the procedure of adding oil to the engine or completely replacing it, you need to make sure of the real need for these manipulations. An oil dipstick will help you check the amount of oil in the engine, which is notable for its brightly colored handle (usually red or yellow), the minimum and maximum values will be visible on it.

There is no need to fill the oil if its level is between the minimum and maximum, or is close to the maximum mark.

If you decide that the car requires a new portion of oil, then replacing it will not be difficult.

First you need to find the hole for filling the oil; it is located on the engine itself, easily identified by the watering can pattern or the inscription “oil”. After unscrewing the lid, pour no more than one glass of oil inside and wait until the liquid drops into the pan.

Then check the oil dipstick again. If there is not enough oil, repeat this algorithm. It should be noted that after each measurement the probe must be wiped with a cloth.

When the oil level is at the required level, do not forget that oil dipstick should fit tightly into its rightful place, then close the oil filler cap.

A little different, but no less important task — complete replacement engine oils. Before changing the oil, you will need to do a number of preparatory operations:

unscrew the crankcase protection to get to the drain hole;
warm up the car engine;
find drainer in the oil pan and slowly unscrew the cap and wait for the used oil to drain;

After the unnecessary oil has been drained, it needs to be replaced oil filter. It is recommended to lubricate the inner rubber gasket with a small layer of oil. Next you just need to install it in place.
Directly filling the oil: remove the filler cap to fill the oil and pour it in according to the same principle as used in the first situation.

After all the steps are completed, all that remains is to get behind the wheel and start the car. Next, we need to wait until the oil pressure light stops burning, then stop the car for a while and make sure that the oil is at the normal level.