Can You Put Oil in Car While Engine is Hot?

Introduction

Checking and adding oil to your car is an essential part of regular maintenance. However, it’s important to know the proper procedure for doing so, especially when the engine is hot. Adding oil to a hot engine can be dangerous and could damage your car.

Why You Shouldn’t Put Oil in a Hot Engine

There are two main reasons why you should not put oil in a hot engine:

1. Oil expands when heated. When you add oil to a hot engine, the oil will expand and overflow the oil pan. This can cause oil to leak out and potentially damage your engine.
2. Hot oil can burn you. If you spill oil on a hot engine, it can cause serious burns. Always wait until the engine has cooled down before adding oil.

How to Safely Add Oil to a Hot Engine

If you need to add oil to a hot engine, follow these steps:

1. Park your car on a level surface.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down for at least 30 minutes.
3. Locate the oil dipstick. The oil dipstick is usually located on the top of the engine. It will have a handle and a loop on the end.
4. Pull out the oil dipstick and wipe it clean.
5. Reinsert the oil dipstick and pull it out again. The oil level should be between the “min” and “max” marks on the dipstick.
6. If the oil level is low, add oil slowly through the oil filler cap. Do not overfill the oil pan.
7. Replace the oil filler cap and the oil dipstick.
8. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes. This will allow the oil to circulate throughout the engine.
9. Check the oil level again with the oil dipstick. The oil level should now be between the “min” and “max” marks.

Conclusion

Adding oil to a hot engine can be dangerous and could damage your car. Always wait until the engine has cooled down before adding oil. By following the steps outlined above, you can safely and easily add oil to your car.