Car Basics 101: How Much Oil Does My Car Need?

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How much oil does my car need? You often wonder. All the hi-tech bits and pieces of your car engine will not run smoothly if there’s no oil. This fluid keeps your engine moving because it does many thing: it lubricates, seals, protects, and cools down your engine parts.

But oil loses effectiveness over time; it loses viscosity and other properties. Periodic oil change should be part of routine maintenance. But how often do you need to change your car engine oil? Too often won’t do anything, but too infrequent may cause severe damage in the long run. How much oil does your car need?

The Importance of Engine Oil

Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife Technology SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

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Before we answer the question, “how much oil does my car need,” we must first address the importance of motor oil.

As mentioned, oil is what keeps your car going. Like your body’s circulatory system, it needs to move around your engine in proper amounts. Too little will lead to engine damage while too much may cause engine failure.

An engine oil serves many purposes: lubrication, heat absorption, engine cleaning, and protection.

Lubrication

A car engine is a complex system of interconnected parts, both stationary and moving. Adjoining parts like pistons, valves, and gears are in contact with one another. This contact creates friction—the bane of mechanical engines. Friction does two undesirable things: it prevents the adjoining parts from moving smoothly; it also wears out the skidding parts.

Friction also generates heat. The last thing you want your engine to do is overheat because not only could it cause a catastrophic fire, but even if that doesn’t happen frequent overheating will destroy the seals and gaskets, turning your car into a big flower pot.

What the engine oil does is it lubricates these adjoining parts so they glide smoothly against each other. If the mechanical parts are moving smoothly, it leads to fuel efficiency, faster speeds, better handling, and overall car performance. Regular lubrication keeps your engine parts physically healthy and functioning properly.

Heat Absorption

Another oil function is cooling. Regular engine oil reduces heat buildup by diffusing it throughout the motor, but there are also special engine oils designed to absorb heat. Also known as coolants, these oils help keep the engine’s temperature down. Although water is still the best, an oil-based coolant does not evaporate easily and has a higher temperature threshold, thus making it a more stable and consistent coolant.

Engine Cleaning

Motor oil often contains additives like detergents and dispersants that remove dirt, carbon, metallic materials, impurities and other deposits. A clean engine is always a better engine, so regular use of motor oil helps keep your engines as good as new.

Parts Protection

A specialized motor oil contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. This oil coats the surface of the metal parts, which prevents the metal from oxidation and burning that lead to corrosion and wear. Also, the specialized motor oil acts as a fluid barrier between contact points, thus preventing these parts from skidding and grinding each other.

Dollar Savings

A motor oil keeps the engine moving, protects the parts, and brings the temperature down. Do you know what this means? Less expenses on car repair and parts replacement. A well-maintained car also keeps its market value high.

How Much Oil Does My Car Need?

changing engine oil

Image from Pixabay

The short answer: probably about five quarts, give or take. Maybe.

The long answer: It depends on your car’s engine makeup and car size. In general, too little or too much will both have adverse effects. It the oil amount is lower than the minimum level, it can cause the car to grumble and grind as the moving parts rub against each other furiously. It can also cause overheating much faster. In extreme cases, your engine can stall.

On the other hand, too much oil adds volume inside thus increasing pressure on the seals. Too much oil can ironically cause excessive fuel consumption. In addition, excessive oil can leak out and create engine mess and damage.

May people believe that the weather affects the amount of oil you need in your engine. During winter, the oil level should be around one-third of the distance between the line (so the engine will heat to working temperature faster). In summer, you should pour a bit more (around 2/3) to help cool your engine better. When pouring, always do it gradually as it is easier to add more than to drain out the excess.

How Much Oil Does My Car Need? It Depends on Your Engine Size

The engine size affects the amount of oil you need to put in. The smaller the engine, the less oil needed. Most modern day engines require 5 to 8 quarts.

As mentioned, here is the rule of the thumb:

  • 4-cylinder engine needs 5 quarts of oil
  • 6-cylinder engine needs 6 quarts
  • 8-cylinder (V8) needs 8 quarts

When and How to Change the Oil

Asking “how much oil does my car need” is as important as asking when and how to change the oil.

If you use your car regularly, checking it once every two or three days is ideal. However, when you notice an oil spill under your car, then you should perform an oil check to see if it is a parts damage or oil excess leak. In most cases, “lost oil” is supplemented in regular batches, but your car needs an entire oil change during a general engine cleanup.

Checking the Oil

Sure you have aced it during your driving license exams but practice is always different from theory. Oil checks should be done regularly so you remember each step until it becomes second nature to you. Remember, your safety and your car’s health depend on this habit.

The steps:

  • 1Park the car on a flat surface (four wheels on the same ground level). Any incline may distort the result.
  • 2Wait until the engine cools down (around 10 minutes or so after engine turns off).
  • 3Wait until the oil flows down to the oil sump.
  • 4Take out the measuring rod (aka “bayonet” or “dipstick”). Wipe it clean with a cloth. Remember that the two lines on it mark the minimum and maximum oil levels.
  • 5Dip the stick until you reach the bottom of the tank. Take out the stick after a few seconds.
  • 6Check if the oil trace is halfway between the lines.

Time for Oil Change

Ideally, you change oil once every year. But in special cases, you may need to change oil immediately.

Here are the telltale signs:

  • If the oil trace goes down beneath the minimum line
  • When the oil light comes on
  • When the engine begins to run roughly despite having checked the wheels and axles
  • If you see dirty, black smoke belching out

How to Choose the Right Type of Oil

When you are shopping for motor oils, you don’t just take whatever is on the shelf. You need to consider qualities before making any purchase.

Viscosity

Viscosity is a property of a liquid to resist flowing. A higher viscosity (i.e. more viscous) oil means it does not flow easily (like honey). In contrast, a less viscous fluid flows freely (like water). As oil heats, it becomes “thinner” or less viscous.

An engine oil viscosity is labeled by a number followed by “W” and two more numbers. The first number represents the flow of the oil at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The “W” stands for Winter, while the last number represents the viscosity at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lower the first number, the quicker the engine turns over during winter. A 10W-30 oil is less viscous when hold and cold than a 20W-50 oil. A thicker/ more viscous oil is ideal as they are better at lubricating and sealing.

On the other, the oil should be resistant to thickening during cold weathers so it will flow easily to engine parts. Also, a thicker oil requires more energy to turn the crankshaft which reduces fuel economy. A 5W oil is recommended for winter use.

To be sure, always check your car manufacturer’s guide on the viscosity level required to keep your engine running at an optimum level.

Chemical Makeup

You also have the option between a synthetic or conventional motor oil. A conventional oil is cheaper, but it is derived from crude oil. A synthetic oil is a specially formulated conventional oil but with special additives like better cleaning and better viscosity at lower and higher temperatures.

A synthetic oil breaks down less easily than a conventional one. A conventional oil can survive 3,000 to 5,000 miles before requiring oil change. Synthetic oil change intervals range from 10,000 to 15,000 miles (or once a year). Extended performance oils can top 75,000 mileage before requiring an oil change. In other words, synthetic oils perform better than conventional oil.

Conclusion

How much oil does my car need? It depends on your car engine size and build. To be sure, always consult your car manual (under the lubrication section), Google your car’s specs (the car maker’s website or popular car maintenance sites), or ask an engine expert.

Airbag Light: Why is It On? – The Common Reasons

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Image from Pixabay

Today’s vehicles have more features than ever before. With the ever-growing technology in the automotive industry, most of these systems are controlled electronically. Gone are the days when there were just three or four warning lights on our driver’s display. There are indicators for everything from a loose gas cap to low washer fluid. With so many alerts on the display, it can be tempting to ignore them and keep on driving. However, when it comes to the airbag light, we cannot stress how important it is to deal with it.

What Is a Car Airbag Light?

deployed airbags

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The vehicle airbag light is the primary indicator for the Supplemental Restraint System or SRS. It is usually displayed with the SRS letters or an illustration of a person sitting in a car seat with the airbag deploying. As with all indicator lights, it comes on for a few moments every time the vehicle is started. This happens so the computer can check the system and make sure everything is in working order. If the light stays on though, it means there is something going on with the SRS system that needs to be looked into further.

How Does the Airbag Light Work?

Most vehicles display a written warning, such as “Air Bag,” “Air bag off” or “Air bag deactivated!” All of these warning lights are a part of the vehicle’s integrated safety system, which includes the seat belt and air bag systems. When there is an issue with anything concerning the SRS, an icon on the driver’s display panel will either light up or flash, indicating that the problem needs to be checked out immediately.

How Does the Airbag System Work?

To better understand the importance of the airbag light and how urgent it is to have it diagnosed quickly, we will take a moment to explain exactly how the airbag system operates. It is made up of a network of sensors located throughout the vehicle, a computer module which processes the data sent from those sensors, and of course, the airbags themselves. The airbags are inflated or ‘deployed’ by a small charge initiated by the computer when it senses something that indicates a likely collision, such as sudden deceleration or impact.

Is It Safe to Drive with the Airbag Light On?

When the airbag light is on, you don’t know if it is just a sensor error or a more serious issue. The most important thing to consider is that even if there is nothing wrong with the airbags or the system which controls it, there is still something wrong with the way the computer is processing the data it receives. This means in a worst-case scenario, the airbags may not deploy in an accident. No matter how busy you are, that is just not a risk worth taking.

What Is the Purpose of the Car Airbag Light?

airbag light and fuel gauge

Image by Jellidonut from Pixabay

The primary function of the airbag light is to let the driver know there is some kind of issue with the airbag system. This could be any number of things from an electrical problem to a sensor issue, to airbags that have been deployed previously and not properly reset. In this section, we will take a deeper look into a few possible causes of the airbag light being on.

Seat Belt Sensor

This is an issue that occurs when something is interfering with the sensor and keeps the computer from registering that the seat belt is indeed fastened. Sometimes this can be something stuck down in the buckle like a coin or a small piece of metal. Other causes can be a blown fuse or even an electrical issue that may need to be diagnosed with a code.

Low Car Battery

When a vehicle’s battery has recently gone dead or been drained very low, the airbag’s backup battery is also drained, and this can cause the warning light to come on. Sometimes charging the car battery or replacing it with a new one will reset the light and it will turn off. If this is not the case, again, you need to have it looked at by a qualified professional.

Damaged or Broken Clock Spring

The clock spring is a rotary electrical connector located in the steering wheel that maintains the continuity of the vehicle’s electrical system, airbag system, and horn. One sure indicator that this is the problem is if, in addition to the airbag light being on, the horn is also not working.

Water or Flood Damage

A common location for the airbag module is under the driver’s seat. With this being the case, even a small amount of water or flood damage could corrode or short out the sensors, leading to an error code being sent to the main computer. Even spilling a drink in the wrong place can have this affect. Also, since it’s common for people to shove things under their seats, it is also possible that a connection could be damaged resulting in the same sensor error.

Sensor or Code Error

Sometimes electrical parts and components just wear out over time. There may be nothing you have done or anything else that caused an issue with your airbag system, it could just be that something went bad in the sensors or computer itself. If this is the case, a quick diagnostic from your local mechanic should identify the problem and it should be an easy fix.

What Should I Do If the Airbag Light Is On in My Car?

Our first suggestion would be that you take your vehicle to a certified mechanic as soon as possible. This could be any certified local auto repair shop or the dealership. We strongly recommend that you do not continue driving the vehicle as if nothing is wrong. The fact that the airbag light is on indicates there is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately as the airbags may not deploy in the event of an accident. For those who prefer to work on their cars themselves, here are a few troubleshooting options you can try:

Replace the Clock Spring

As we mentioned before, the clock spring is what maintains the connection between the vehicle’s electrical and airbag systems. It does this by coiling in and out as the steering wheel turns. After years of use and tens of thousands of wheel rotations, the thin circuit bands may become brittle and worn, causing an intermittent connection, or eventually even no connection at all. This is common problem in older vehicles.

Charge or Replace the Battery

As batteries wear down, sometimes they hang on a while before going completely dead. Running the car or driving it will recharge it enough to where it continues to function adequately until it finally goes dead. If this is the case, it may have already caused an issue with the airbag sensor, and until you replace the battery, the airbag light will probably continue to stay on.

Check the Passenger Occupancy Sensor

Another possible cause for the airbag warning light may be the wiring or connection of the passenger occupancy sensor. Given how passenger seats are usually adjusted more often than driver’s seats, the back-and-forth repetition over time can stretch or fray the wires, and sometimes they can get detached altogether.

To check if this system is working properly, look for the “passenger airbag off” light when the seat is unoccupied, and look for that light to disappear when the seat is occupied. If the indicator is not functioning properly, check the harness and wiring under the seat for possible damage. If you do find an issue with the wiring, universal replacement kits can be purchased at nearly any auto parts store.

Clear the ECU

If you have throughly inspected every possible cause for the airbag light to be on and have concluded that there are no issues that need resolving, you can remove the airbag electronic control unit, or ECU, and send it to a company that will clear it for you. Still, we highly recommend letting a qualified mechanic give your system the once-over before taking this step, because this is something you want to make absolutely sure you are not wrong about. It may save your life.

Conclusion

Vehicles are getting more technologically advanced every year. We already have cars that can self-parallel park, brake on their own when sensing an impending collision, and warn us when other vehicles or objects are getting too close. Technology can make our drive so much more easy and comfortable, but only if we pay attention to it. Ignoring important indicators such as “check engine” and “low tire pressure” are surely dangerous enough. But when you ignore your airbag lights, you are literally playing Russian roulette with your life and the lives of the passengers traveling with you.

So please, don’t wait. Have your car checked out by your local mechanic today. We hope you will never need those airbags, but if you do, you will be glad they were there.