What oil does my car need?

It is important to understand how to keep your engine safe. You might wonder how much oil my car needs. If you want to make your oil changes yourself, or need to fill up the tank with extra oil, this is an important thing to consider.

We will discuss how much oil engines should use in this guide. You can also find out the exact specifications so your vehicle is treated correctly. 

What oil does my car need?

This really depends on the type of car's engine. The majority of today’s engines will hold between five and six quarts of oil. Compact four-cylinder engines can carry as low as 4 quarts while big trucks could have up to 8 or 9 quarts. 

Four-cylinder motors will hold around five quarts. This is because they are smaller. Comparatively, a six-cylinder could hold six quarts. A eight-cylinder might hold up to five to eight quarts.

What is the best place to check your engine's oil capacity?

1. Owner’s Manual

The traditional way of finding out what your vehicle needs is to read the owner’s manual. This manual will tell you the right oil type and how to apply it.

If you have lost the manual or didn’t get it with a used car, you might need to try one of our other options. Another option is to buy a brand new one online, such as on eBay. 

2. Online Resources

Online information is available in many ways. Search a database online at your local auto parts shop website.

The information can be searched online to find the best results. You should make sure that you get the information from reliable sources or else you could find yourself stuck in a bind. You can get a reliable service for nothing. Castrol’s website.

3. Mechanical

For assistance, contact your dealer. Your local service department can help you find the right information. It’s also possible that the parts department would be willing to help.

The car's year, make and model will be required. You may be asked for your engine size. If you don’t know all of this, simply provide them with the VIN or vehicle identification number. 

Remember, you don’t have to be stuck with the dealership. If they don’t provide the help you need, reach out to an independent mechanic instead.

RELATED: Do I Have To Use the Manufacturer’s Oil? Why You Should

Signs It’s Time for an Oil Change

You should know the oil level in your vehicle. The oil system will need to be refilled when an oil change is performed. Here are a few signs that indicate it’s time to drain and refill the oil with the appropriate amount.

• This is the oil light. The oil light will turn on when the level of your engine's oil is low. It is possible to either change the oil or fill it with a bit more.
• Oil pressure gauge reads low. Not all vehicles are equipped with this gauge, but it’s helpful for learning when there’s a problem. 
• Rough-running engine. Change the oil to remove deposits from the lifters.
• Drop in fuel economy. The engine will not run as efficiently if the oil is clogged up. Your vehicle will get a better gas mileage. 

Check the oil levels if your engine starts to run rough, or you feel that you are experiencing a drop in power. 

RELATED: 5 Easy Steps to Change Your Car's Oil.

Is the Motor Oil Too Low?

You don’t want to run your engine with the oil low. It’s needed to lubricate the internal parts of the motor. Additionally, it’s needed to reduce friction in the motor. Motor oil is also necessary to maintain normal engine temperatures. Motor oil is essential for your engine to work at its peak.

You can temporarily run it without taking a complete reading for a while, but not if the level is very low. You don’t want to run it more than a quart low for any reason. You could cause engine wear, particularly at startup. The engine's valuable parts such as cam bearings, valves, and lifters could be damaged. A rebuild of the engine will likely cost more than oiling it. 

How can you tell if your motor oil is too high?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s possible to overfill the engine. You might think that there’s no such thing as too much of something, but that’s not the case with your motor. When there’s an excessive amount of motor oil in the crankcase, the crankshaft and pump start to aerate it. It becomes a foamy oil.

RELATED: Do You Put Too Much Oil In Your Car's Engine? (Here’s What to do)

This combination creates an enormous amount of air that moves among components of the engine. As it moves the oil, the oil pump will pick up a lot of this air. The crankshaft can turn up to twenty times per second if the vehicle is moving at high speeds. This increases the amount of aeration. When the oil is too foamy or bubbly it becomes difficult to lubricate all internal parts, leading to engine damage. 

You should check your oil levels between the two dipstick lines. These lines should read something like “Full” and “Add.” If the levels aren’t at these markers, you must take action to protect the car engine from damage.