How much oil does a car engine really need in order for it to work?
I have heard that only about one quart of the five quarts that we usually put in the engine after an oil change is what is really needed in order for the engine to still fully function. Is this true? If not, how much oil does an engine really need?
Again, I am not trying to run my car w/ that low amount of oil, just trying to sound some what knowledgeable in oil mechanics when I face the Nissan lawyers tomorrow. If say it was left w/ only one quart, how far could it go? Please, don’t tell me the junk yard, obviously I know the car will break down! (my car IS already broken down!! a few miles after an oil change!!)
Thanks for explaining the heat/cooling of the oil though. I appreaciate it. It makes much sense.
to operate it could get by a couple quarts low, but on hard acceleration itll start sucking air, so you want it to be filled to the factory specs.
What moron told you that? See if he puts one quart in his own car. You need as much as the car will hold with out overfilling for pressure reasons and leakage. If you only had one quart the engine would burn up in about one mile or less. If you don’t believe me go for what you know.
Are you figuring out how much oil LEFT would allow an engine not to expire ???
Don’t
It really needs at all times at least One and a half to two litres. If it’s a V6 or a V8 it would need min. 2.5 to 3.5 litres at all times or else there is a risk.
none, but it wont work for long.
If the oil pickup reached the one quart and the pump pushed it through the system it will work.
One thing; the oil will get HOTTER sooner and longer.
Too much oil will hit the crankshaft and thats not good.
Therefore, there is a minimum and maximum. Never overfill beyond the mfgrs requirements.
If you use just the minimum, dont drive long or far. Excessive Heat is not good for the engine
If the owners manual says to use 5 quarts, use 5 quarts. Oil is one of the cheapest maintenance items you can use, so why take a chance!! Good luck
Generally 4-5 quarts. Oil also carries heat away from internal engine components. if you want to remove oil from the pan do it with a dry sump type system.
The car needs as much as the manufacturer recommends. The oil helps to cool the engine and if the oil gets too hot because it hasn’t sat in the pan long enough to dissipate the heat picked up by circulating through the engine, it will break down and fail to lubricate. True, there is only one quart in the engine under pressure, but the other 4-5 quarts are cooling off in the oil pan.
I don’t know about your car, mine uses five quarts. It is a Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 in a Chrysler Lebaron, and it is fairly forgiving at 1~2 quarts low. After that, the engine starts ticking, and the oil pressure starts getting squirrely.
I just rebuilt the engine last summer, and have not had anymore trouble with oil leakage, and burning. This is no concern now. I think not bad for 250K mi on the old girl. It is 17 years old now, in December she will turn 18.
I would not try to run the engine with just one quart in it, since there in not enough oil in the system to keep everything lubricated, and there is no oil in reserve to get cool. When the engine gets low of oil, the oil can overheat thus causing scorching of the bearings, and excessive wear in the cam and lifters.
It’s true that an engine would run with only 2 quarts of oil, but the reason there is more than that is because of the need to keep the oil pump pickup tube submersed so it doesn’t suck air. Also more oil helps keep the oil temperature lower because it has time to dissipate the heat while sitting in the oil pan.
here is the way oil works in an engine.. it is very much like your heart pumping blood through your arteries and veins.. while it may only take one quart of oil to actually lubricate the entire system, it is necessary to have the other 4 quarts as well. Oil is circulated throughout the engine by the oil pump located at the bottom of your engine in the oil pan.. it is constantly circulating through the engine and then returning through the filter.. the faster the engine is running the faster the oil is being circulated.. like I said.. it is very similiar to your blood circulation system.. the more work you do the faster your heart beats to pump the blood through the body carrying more oxygen to your muscles.. if you were to lose half your blood and try to run.. you would not get far.. the same goes for your cars engine.. you can operate it on less that the full five quarts but not at a high speed and not for long..eventually it will over heat.. and something will become burned.. the oil lubricates all moving parts and serves as a cooling system as well.. if you reduce the oil.. you reduce the protection and wear will take place.. when you wear something out by causing it to burn then you have a major problem.. sort of like a stroke or heart attack.. keep you oil level where it should be..other wise you run the risk of killing your engine..