Engine oil consumption is determined depending on the amount that burns out in the engine. can either talk about its poor quality (the lubricant then burns out excessively), or about a malfunction of the engine itself (leakage occurs, most often through valve seals and oil scraper rings). Everything will depend on the specific numbers and additional symptoms that may occur when the lubricant burns out.
How is engine oil consumption calculated?
To determine the norm, it is not the mileage that is taken into account, but the consumption of the fuel resource. This indicator is more accurate than the distance traveled, because when you are in traffic jams, the oil is depleted even more, and the odometer does not change its value.
It is customary to calculate the oil consumption in the engine according to its volume of 100 liters of fuel spent on combustion.
To find out the rate of oil consumption in the engine of your car, you need to use the calculation formula and calculator, or use this online form. It involves calculating the allowable amount of oil for waste according to the type of engine, the volume of operating oil and the amount of fuel consumed, taking into account the state of the piston group.
Calculation formulas for oil consumption
General actual oil consumption for waste per cycle of its operation(from replacement to replacement) can be calculated by the formula:
Qy = ∑q + (Qz-Qsl),
Where ∑q is the oil topped up during the cycle (between maintenance); Qz - filled during refueling; Qsl - merged during replacement.
And here oil consumption in liters per 100 liters of fuel define it like this:
Mz \u003d V / (P * k),
Where V is the capacity of the engine lubrication system; P - fuel consumed k - coefficient taking into account the wear of the piston group (k - for a diesel car 1.25; gasoline 1.15; turbo 1.3).
Oil consumption rates are increased up to 20% for vehicles after overhaul and in operation for more than 5 years.
Consumption rate of engine oil for waste
For passenger car transport, the normal indicator of waste is the consumption of 0.005 - 0.025% per 100 liters of fuel, which is approximately 5 to 25 grams of oil per 1 thousand km. In a worn engine, up to 0.1% and 100 gr. per 1000 km respectively. Well, if the car works at the limit or has a turbocharged or diesel unit, then this rate will be even higher.
For trucks long-length oil consumption rate is 0.3 - 0.4% of fuel consumption. The calculation formula uses the amount of burned fuel and topped up oil for this period. But such a calculation of oil consumption, assumed by the automaker Scania, is relevant only for heavy cars with a large engine. Calculations of lubricating fluid consumption in passenger cars, both with diesel and gasoline engines, have a slightly different look.
Consumption rate of engine oil per 100 liters. fuel for passenger cars
For VAZ carburetor cars, the norm is considered to be from 0.3 to 0.4 liters. per 100 liters of fuel.
A gasoline engine operating at the limit of its capabilities can consume from 0.4 to 0.6%, at 100 hp. fuel used, which is approximately 400 - 600 grams of engine oil per 1000 kilometers. With diesel, the situation is exactly the same - engine lubricant consumption increases by 0.5%. But if these are forced turbodiesels with two turbines, then the consumption can reach up to 3% of the volume of oil poured into the engine.
Keep in mind that oil consumption rates significantly increase for vehicles after overhaul and in operation over five years.
The average indicator of engine oil consumed by the engine after a run of 150 thousand km is 0.35 - 0.55 liters.
Method for determining oil consumption
Oil level on the dipstick
The determination of the actual value of the specific consumption of engine oil for waste is carried out with a mileage of 200-300 km. The car during the control run must be technically sound. The oil level in the crankcase should be between the "MAX" and "MIN" marks on the engine dipstick. Before the control run, it is necessary to warm up the engine, the oil temperature should be 80-85°C. Drain the oil on level ground. It should drain from the pan within 15 minutes. For the accuracy of the result, it is desirable to determine not the volume, but the weight, since the amount of lubricant remaining in the filter can only be found by weighing it.
How to use the calculator
One of the main roles in this calculation is played by the volume of fuel burned and the volume of operating oil, as well as the type of engine. It is with respect to this volume and the specifics of work that the specific oil consumption is calculated.
To calculate the specific oil consumption in the engine, the following data are required:
- In the "fuel" field - enter the average fuel consumption in liters per 1`000 km. mileage (by default and based on the calculation formulas, this is 100 liters);
- In the field "oil" - the volume of oil that is regulated by the manufacturer as necessary when filling;
- Select engine type and check if the machine has been in operation for more than 5 years
- Click "calculate".
Please note that the results of the allowable engine oil consumption calculator are a general case and for some engines (assumed by the specifics of the design) may be inaccurate and need to be adjusted.
Such a calculation calculator can be an indispensable assistant for calculating the consumption rate of lubricants intended for prompt accounting of the specific consumption of engine oil when justifying the need for them. After all, if not all, then many motorists are quite alarming about the oil consumption in the engine. This service will show whether you fit into the nominal values. If not, then you will have an objective reason to look for causes and possible problems.
What's the bottom line
That is, if the engine is in order, then it practically does not take oil, and you will not need to top up until the next replacement. Its level will be within the allowable limits on the dipstick (within the min. / max. marks). But there are cases when the manufacturer indicates the consumption rates for a particular power unit (some), then topping it up is considered natural and not a malfunction, but on average it does not exceed 1-2 glasses from replacement to replacement.
It is important to understand that the harder the engine runs, the more oil burns in it. So, for example, the higher the number of revolutions, the more oil will remain in the cylinders of a car engine. Although you should not forget not only about the mode of operation of the engine, but also its design. And you should not neglect the tolerances of engine oils and fill in fuels and lubricants of dubious quality.
The high-quality properties of lubricants ensure the smooth operation of the machine's motor, extending its service life. It is necessary to fill the engine with oil after 10-15 thousand kilometers. For each vehicle, the level and volume of lubricant are individual.
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How to check the oil level correctly
The procedure for checking the lubricant level is simple. It must be done daily before leaving the car.
Before checking the condition of the oil level in the engine, a number of technical conditions must be met:
- The vehicle must be on a level surface. Tilts will lead to false readings.
- Free access to the measuring probe.
- The check is made on a warm engine.
The oil level is measured in the following order:
- The engine of the car warms up to 50 degrees.
- An exposure of 20 minutes is made for the lubricant to drain into the crankcase.
- Then you need to open the hood and pull out the dipstick.
- Insert it back into the car engine and wait a few seconds.
- Pull out the dipstick and check the oil level.
There are maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick. The normal level is considered if the trace of oil is between these marks.
Channel Garage No. 6 shows the procedure for checking the oil level in a car.
How much oil should be poured into the engine
The volume of oil in each car is different, the type of lubricant and the quantity are described in the technical literature of the vehicles. The reservoir contains from 3 to 4.5 liters of lubricant - this depends on the displacement and engine version. Add oil gradually so as not to overfill.
For domestic cars
Passenger cars of domestic production have an engine capacity of 1300-1600 cubic centimeters. It follows from this that it is necessary to fill in oil in the engine no more than 3.5 liters on average.
For imported cars
Foreign passenger cars are produced with internal combustion engines from 1800 to 2400 cubic centimeters. It will take about 4-4.5 liters of oil to replace. The level when topping up should be periodically checked with a dipstick.
Too high oil level: good or bad?
The option is being considered when the level of lubricant in the internal combustion engine is above the “max” mark on the dipstick. The reason is the overflow of oils associated with the carelessness of the owner of the car or insufficient warming up of the engine before replacing. Some drivers believe that the larger the car, the better the engine pulls, but this is not so.
An increased level of lubrication can cause great harm to the car, since oil pressure increases in the engine, which will lead to a breakdown of the unit. Gaskets and seals may be damaged. Therefore, if the oil level in the engine is too high, the car should not be used.
How to reduce the amount of oil in the engine
For proper operation of the car engine, excess engine oil must be drained.
In the case when it is necessary to drain excess oil from the engine, you need to use the following methods:
- Through the drain plug in the crankcase. This operation is performed on a pit or overpass. Before draining, be aware that the oil is hot and can cause burns. It is necessary to unscrew the crankcase plug and drain the excess oil.
- Through the dipstick hole. Pumping is carried out using a syringe and a rubber hose 15 cm long put on it.
Video “Engine oil change”
Denis Durnev showed how to properly change the oil in a car engine.
Maintenance and replacement of consumables (filters, fluids, oils) is one of the most relevant topics for every car enthusiast, regardless of the brand of his car. A fairly large percentage of the total number of cars is serviced by their owners themselves, and this percentage is growing steadily. Knowing how much oil is needed in the engine, everyone can master the simple process of replacing it and successfully perform it without any extra financial costs.
The amount of lubricant in the power units of various vehicles
Before you begin to master the procedure for changing the engine oil, you need to find out a few points.
- What kind of lubricant can be used for the power unit of your car, depending on the season of operation and loads?
- How much oil is needed in the engine?
- What is the interval between consumable replacements?
Most of these questions can be answered by the operating instructions for the machine from the manufacturer. But this document is not always available to the owner, for example, in the case of buying a used car. Again, the manual offers data on service intervals linked to the recommended brand of engine oil. If you change it, then the interval between replacements may change.
For example, if instead of the proposed semi-synthetics, you start filling in a mineral-based lubricant, then it will have to be changed more often. And only the filling volume of oil remains unchanged for each car. The operating conditions of each individual vehicle also play a significant role. Driving in high mountainous areas, moving large and small trailers with loads, operating on unpaved roads - all these factors lead to increased carbon deposits on the parts of the power unit and their accelerated wear.
Engine oil wears out just as quickly, and the more often it has to be changed. For this reason, it is necessary once and for all to find out the volume of oil in the engine and other components and assemblies. The table presents some aggregated data on the amount of motor lubricant in domestic cars.
Having studied the table, we can draw the following conclusion: the larger the working volume of the power unit, the more lubricant it requires. The same pattern exists in foreign-made engines. Consolidated data show that for imported engines with a working volume of 1.8 to 2.4 liters, the filling volume of oil is 4.2-4.3 liters, and you can be guided by these figures if there is no accompanying documentation from the manufacturer in the car.
To clarify the data specifically for each foreign car, you can contact the official dealer of the brand, from which you can also purchase recommended lubricants.
What affects the consumption of motor lubricant?
Extreme vehicle operating conditions can significantly shorten the life of lubricants It should be noted that the operating instructions indicate the value of the total amount of lubricants, but in practice, when draining waste from the crankcase, part of it still remains on the working surfaces, channels and ducts due to its viscosity. That is, not all the oil flows out of the engine, respectively, and it will need to be filled in less.
It is impossible not to say about the operating consumption of motor lubricant during operation. It is considered the norm if, due to various circumstances (increased loads, aggressive driving style, poor fuel quality), up to 100 grams of oil is consumed per 1000 kilometers. Worn out engines can consume even more. Therefore, it is always worth having some amount of lubricant for topping up.
The indicator of how much oil to pour into the engine when replacing depends on how to drain mining from the crankcase. Some motorists who have this opportunity unscrew the drain plug upon arrival at the garage and leave it open until the morning. This allows the used grease to drain thoroughly from all channels during the night.
Then, when filling, the amount of oil to the working level will be very close to what is indicated in the vehicle passport. If, however, the replacement procedure is performed under conditions of limited time and on a poorly warmed-up engine, then up to 200 grams of working out may remain in it, which will affect the durability of the unit and will be noticeable when pouring new lubricant.
Here are some tips to correctly determine the filling volume of motor lubricant. 
- Mining should always be drained from a warm engine, especially in the cold season. Used hot grease will not be as thick and viscous, so it will flow out of the crankcase faster and easier.
- Do not forget to unscrew the filler cap on the valve cover, this will avoid a small vacuum in the interior of the engine. If this is not done, processing will flow more slowly.
- Do not rush when performing the procedure, let the used oil drain well. It is necessary to pause after unscrewing the plug and after dismantling the oil filter, ideally up to 30 minutes.
- When pouring fresh grease, be guided by the scale on the canister and the level between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. To do this, immediately fill in a minimum, then start the engine for a couple of minutes, turn it off and wait 10 minutes until the oil drains into the crankcase. Then finally check the level and top up if necessary.
The volume of oil in an engine that is close to an overhaul is best kept at the maximum level, giving a small margin for increased consumption. In this case, checking the level with a dipstick should be carried out quite often, every 1000 km. If this is not done, you can “miss” the moment when the level drops below the minimum and oil starvation of the power unit sets in, and this is fraught with serious malfunctions.
Most modern vehicles move using internal combustion engines (ICE). It is well known that they cannot work without engine oil (MM), which ensures minimal friction between parts. This fluid also performs other vital functions for the motor. Therefore, the optimal amount of oil in the engine is necessary for its normal operation.
Why does the engine consume oil
The volume of engine oil in the engine for each of its modifications depends on the design features, the volume of the cylinder-piston group and the number of cylinders, as well as on some other factors. This value is indicated in the service book for each car and determines how much oil should be poured into the engine when replacing it.
As you drive, the engine oil is gradually consumed. Each specific engine consumes it differently, even if it is still new. Why is this happening? Even if all the seals and seals firmly hold the lubricating fluid inside the system, it is still consumed by waste, burning in the cylinders along with the fuel. Some of the oil composition remains on the surfaces of the cylinders inside the combustion chambers, passing through the oil scraper and compression rings of the pistons. This is necessary for the formation of a thin lubricating film.
The level of oil consumption is very different. For example, for 1 thousand kilometers of travel, engines with 6 or 8 cylinders can burn up to 1 liter of oily fluid. For them, this figure is normal. This is why a regular check of the lubrication level with a dipstick is required. This will show when and how much oil to fill in the internal combustion engine if its level drops to critical.
There may be several reasons why an excessive amount of oil is consumed in the engine, in addition to waste:
Often there are situations when excessive oil consumption requires engine overhaul. This costly event can be delayed by using certain additives. They are added to lubricants or fuels. Thus, it is possible to temporarily increase the compression performance of the cylinders, increase power and reduce the consumption of MM.
What lubricant is suitable for the motor
It is very important to know what kind of oil should be poured into the engine. Information about this can be found in service books. In addition, how many liters of oil are poured can be found by the basic specifications that it must meet. Many automakers also recommend certain brands. Products are offered under specific brand names. For example, engine and transmission oils such as Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Subaru and others.
Today, mineral, semi-synthetic, as well as synthetic lubricating mixtures are produced. Synthetics are used for new engines, semi-synthetic fluid will be appropriate in engines that have already run 100 thousand km or more. Obsolete domestically produced cars need mineral water. It is not recommended to use synthetics for them, because it has a bad effect on outdated materials of seals, seals and gaskets, causing leakage.
Worldwide, the viscosity characteristics of motor oils are classified according to the methodology of the American Society of Automotive Engineers - SAE. Other properties are also determined by the main current classifiers - API (American Petroleum Institute), ACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers), ILSAC (American-Japanese Committee for Standardization and Certification of Lubricants). One or more classifications, according to these standards, must be indicated in the car's service book. According to them, you need to select the lubricant that is best suited to your motor.
How much oil does an engine need
How much oil is needed for the engine? If there is no technical documentation for the car at hand, you can use the knowledge of the approximate volume. For example, pour 3 liters of motor fluid into Russian-made cars - you can't go wrong. It happens that you have to add a little, but you have to look at the dipstick.
In most foreign cars, it is better to fill in at least 4 liters of oil. Then add little by little, checking with a dipstick. In powerful engines with a volume of 4 liters and above, up to 8 liters of MM may be required. It should be correctly determined how much oil is in the engine. In order to find the real level, you should let the motor run a little after changing the lubricant. Turn off the propulsion unit and wait until the oil drains into the crankcase. Then look at the dipstick. The main thing is that the level is not lower than the minimum (min), and also not higher than the maximum (max).
What happens if the oil fluid is not topped up on time and its level drops below the minimum? Such an outcome is fraught with a quick failure of the internal combustion engine. Oil starvation will begin, as a result - accelerated wear of surfaces in many parts. A very short time will pass, and the motor will need an expensive overhaul, as the necks, as well as the crankshaft liners, will collapse. The longer the oil "starvation" lasts, the greater the likelihood of engine jamming.
The consequences will be no less severe if the level of the lubricating mixture is higher than the maximum allowable. Many novice motorists mistakenly believe that the more oil to fill in, the better. Actually it is not. The crankshaft, rotating, will begin to touch the surface of the lubricant that is in the crankcase. Such intense agitation will inevitably lead to the formation of foam. The first sign of such a phenomenon is the knock of valves equipped with hydraulic compensators.
Further, the pressure of the lubricating fluid drops, since the oil pump will begin to drive foam along the lines instead of lubrication. Low pressure will cause the destruction of critical parts of the crankshaft, piston group and the engine as a whole. The foamed oil will begin to be squeezed out through the seals under the pressure of the gases formed in the engine sump. The overall consequences of the overflow will be deplorable.
If you well understand the consequences of an insufficient or excessive amount of MM, the question of how much oil to fill in the engine will disappear by itself. The lubricant level should be in the middle position, between the min and max marks.
When to change the oil
Every time after a certain mileage, it becomes necessary to change the engine fluid. Under Russian operating conditions and low-quality fuel, synthetics must be replaced after 7-8 thousand kilometers of travel. Mineral and semi-synthetics should be changed even more often.
Having worked enough time, the MM can no longer perform its protective functions. Additives are inevitably destroyed. The stock of alkaline material that successfully resists the acidic environment has been exhausted. The temperature-viscosity characteristics are increasingly moving away from the original ones. In order not to expose the power unit to increased wear, the lubricant is changed.
How much oil do you need to change? As much as indicated in the service book, with the exception of a small amount of old fluid. From 200 to 300 ml of the spent composition remains in the irregularities of the pallet. Some car models make it possible to draw out these residues with a hose connected to a large syringe. It is better to do this, because there is a lot of sediment, debris and slag in the residues, which will return to the oil system again.
The oil volume in the engine must be within the indicated limits. Both its deficiency and its excess are harmful. To make it clear why this is so and how much lubricant needs to be filled in, we will analyze the operation of the lubrication system.
Engine lubrication system
The lubrication system delivers oil to the rubbing surfaces of engine parts to reduce friction between them and their wear, as well as to remove heat and friction products. Internal combustion automotive power units have a combined lubrication system. The necks of the crankshaft and camshaft are lubricated under pressure, and the parts of the cylinder-piston group, the camshaft cams, the fuel pump drive, and the timing chain are lubricated by spraying.
System composition:
- The engine oil pan is a container for engine oil.
- An oil pick-up pump is used to draw grease from the sump and pressurize the system.
- The oil filter cleans the lubricant from friction products and soot.
- Oil channels are needed to supply pressure to lubrication points.
System operation:
Lubrication of the power unit occurs in a vicious circle with a continuous cycle.
- The oil pump, using an oil intake, takes engine oil from the sump and pumps it into the system through a filter under pressure.
- Through the channels, the oil reaches the desired points, lubricates them and flows into the sump.
- The cycle closes and repeats again.
From the way the lubrication system works, it can be seen that when the engine is running, the oil pump, filter, and supply channels to the lubrication points are constantly filled. And from the continuity of the lubrication cycle during engine operation, it follows that there must be some more lubricant in the sump. This means that the minimum volume of oil in the engine must be slightly more than the sum of the volumes of the pump, filter, and supply channels. Otherwise, as soon as the lubricating fluid is pumped out of the sump, the engine will no longer be lubricated, and the operation of the engine without lubrication threatens it with serious damage.
Consequences of an overestimation
If the presence of risks on the oil dipstick with the inscription min is intuitively clear to most drivers, then the maximum amount of oil in the engine is usually not understood by everyone, since we are used to the fact that “you can’t spoil porridge with oil”. The thing is that ICE lubrication is not porridge.
The principle of a device for pumping oil from an internal combustion engine
Above the surface of the oil, in a running engine, the crankshaft rotates, which should not touch it. Since, otherwise, the rotating crankshaft will foam it like a mixer. The consequences of this are harmful because air bubbles differ from liquid in that they can be compressed, thereby reducing the pressure developed by the pump below the value necessary for normal operation of the engine. If the timing valves of your engine are equipped with hydraulic lifters, you will immediately hear their knock, but this is not the worst consequence of foaming. Lack of pressure will lead to increased wear of the liners and crankshaft journals, which threatens to overhaul the engine in the near future. Another nuisance is the extrusion of oil foam by the pressure of crankcase gases out through all the seals and any defects in the gaskets, which after a while can lead to a drop in the level in the sump below the minimum allowable.
The least harm that foamed oil can cause to an injection engine is the failure of the mass air flow sensor. It happens due to the fact that, together with crankcase gases, foam will enter the intake air duct, which, burning on the wire resistances of the MRV sensor, will disable it. Find out how much the MAF costs for your car and you will not leave more oil in the engine than the maximum allowable.
