Can I put oil in a hot engine?

Wednesday 16th October 2024



Practising regular vehicle maintenance is essential before you drive. Topping up your car’s engine with the correct oil will keep it clean and running smoothly while prolonging the lifespan of your vehicle. If you are setting off before a long drive and have forgotten to check the engine oil levels, you may wonder if you can put oil in a hot engine.

In this article, we answer whether it is safe to top up a hot car engine with oil.

Is it a good idea to put oil in a hot car engine?

No, pouring oil into your car’s engine while it is still hot is not a good idea. Attempting to fill a hot engine with oil could lead to potential burns, engine fires and injury.

What are the risks of adding oil to a hot car engine

If you decide to fill a hot car engine with engine oil, you must consider the following risks:

  • Potential risk of thermal shock, which can crack and damage your car’s engine.
  • The oil thins, leading to increased friction and wear with your car’s engine parts.
  • The oil inside the engine could begin to smoke or catch fire.

Should I put engine oil in my car after driving?

Adding oil to your car immediately after driving isn’t recommended. Ideally, you should wait between 10 to 15 minutes to give your engine time to cool down. Once the engine has cooled, you can then fill the engine with new oil.

When is the best time to change your car’s engine oil?

Changing your car’s engine oil is dependent on various factors, including:

  • The age of your vehicle and mileage covered.
  • The type of oil you use for your car’s engine.
  • Driving conditions.
  • The oil change warning light comes on to indicate that the oil pressure is low.

Many automotive manufacturers have different criteria for when you should change the oil in your car’s engine. As a rule of thumb, the engine oil in your car should be replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

What is the ideal car engine temperature for adding oil?

You must ensure the engine is warm before adding any engine oil. A warm engine enables the oil to move freely, reducing the risk of possible burns or thermal shock.

When changing your car’s engine oil, you can top it up with new oil without having to drain the old oil. If the engine oil has turned black, you must drain the old oil before adding fresh oil to the engine. We recommend using a funnel to fill your engine with new engine oil. You should slowly add the oil in small amounts before it has reached the maximum oil level for your engine.

Keep your engine running smoothly with Formula One Autocentres

We recommend not putting oil in a hot engine as it can lead to a hefty repair bill for your vehicle. Are you wondering what type of oil you need to top up your car’s engine? Our article covers everything you need to know about the different types of engine oil to fill your engine with.

Keep your car’s engine running efficiently by buying an engine oil supplement online or at your local Formula One Autocentres branch today.

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