What happens when you put too much motor oil in your car? I was checking my motor oil earlier today and it was near minimum, so I decided to add a canister of 10w30 oil into my car. Now it's like when it's half an inch over the highest circle marker? I haven't started my car yet cuz I don't know what that would do. Please help. Thanks.


[Modified by GQ-Lude, 12:46 AM 8/13/2002]

 

I know if you go a little over, it shouldn't be a problem. I've gone over 3/16 of an inch with out a problem, but not 1/2 of an inch. I don't know what would happen to your motor if you started it, but to be on the safe side, just drain some out.

 

Potentially, your oil pressure is going to be high and you risk blowing various seals with too much oil. You probably won't hurt anything with the amount "over" the dipstick displays you as, but its better safe than sorry. It wouldnt be a bad idea to unbolt the drain plug for a few seconds and then plug it back up.

 

did you check the oil when the car was cold, on level ground, and sitting for a while? I did that once....added oil to a system that didnt need any because I didn't check the oil properly and thought I was low.

 

Hm, I coulda sworn that my car was cold and on level ground heheh. I could be wrong though. I'm gonna check the oil level later and see how much over it is. I asked my dad about it and he said that it should be ok. Thanks for the help guys.

 

You should check the oil on level ground but the car should be properly warmed up. Check it after filling up the gas tank, that way it has sat for the time it takes to fill up the tank, allowing some of the oil in the internals to drain down a bit but not completely like when the car is cold. You want to get a level based on operating temps - this is all in the owner's manual.

 

ditto to what everyone said. you dont want to blow any seals, drain your oil until you are at the max on the marker, plug it back up then crank the motor for a little while. shut it off check oil level and you're set.