Can I top up my engine oil with a different brand?

While all engine oils are manufactured to an SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standard, it is not recommended to mix different brands of engine oils, even if they are the same viscosity as each brand uses their own formula.

Can I top off oil with a different brand?

Yes. It won't harm your engine to mix, for example, Quaker State^® motor oil with Pennzoil, as long as the oil you use is the weight (or viscosity) recommended in your vehicle owner's manual.

Is it OK to mix different brands of engine oil?

Most experts agree that mixing two brands of engine oil can be risky to your engine's performance. That's because different manufacturers will use various methods of production and special additives, which means there will be certain oils that include different physical properties.

Does it matter what oil I top my car up with?

Before you top it up, make sure you know which oil your car needs. Using the wrong oil can damage your engine, so check your car's handbook. It's important to use oil that meets the right technical specifications (ACEA, API, VW, etc).

Is it OK to just top up engine oil?

Topping off the oil in your car is one way to avoid a conventional oil change (or any other kind of oil change). There is only one time this is a good idea, and that's when your oil is very low and you need to get to your auto shop right away. Other than that, it's best not to cut this particular corner.

The Truth About Mixing Different Engine Oils | The Shop Manual

Is it OK to add new oil to old oil?

The practice of topping off your oil is essentially just like it sounds — you're adding fresh oil on top of existing oil. However, the trouble with mixing new and old oil is the new oil can become contaminated in the process or allow impurities to continue building in your engine.

What happens if you top up with different oil?

What happens when you mix different oil brands? While it is not recommended to mix various brands of motor oil (such as Valvoline, Castrol, Total or Mobil 1), it will not cause any damage to your engine.

Does oil brand really matter?

MYTH: Switching motor oil brands is harmful to my engine.

No. Switching brands is not harmful to your engine as long as you choose an oil marked with the API donut of the same level, e.g., API SN. Motor oil manufacturers must meet minimum industry standards for performance and compatibility of the API mark.

What are symptoms of low oil?

What to do if engine oil is low?

Check the oil level as soon as it is safe. If it is low, you'll need to top it off with fresh oil. Once you've added oil, crank the engine and see if the light goes off. If it does, get the oil changed soon and have the mechanic check for leaks that might have led to the low oil condition.

Can I mix two different brands of 5w30 oil?

While mixing certain engine oils may not necessarily cause any harm to your engine (i.e. they consist of the same formula), it's not recommended that you mix different oil types and grades due to potentially impacting the properties, which could affect your engine.

Is it OK to mix 5w30 with 5w40?

Can You Mix 5W30 with 5W40 oil? This is a common question that many people have. The answer is yes, you can mix 5w30 engine oil with 5w40 engine oil as long as the weight of the 5w30 engine oil is greater than the weight of the 5w40 engine oil.

Why can't you go back to regular oil after synthetic?

Myth: Once you switch to synthetic oil, you can never switch back. This is one of the most persistent myths about synthetic oil—and completely untrue. You can switch back and forth at any time. In fact, synthetic blends are simply a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.

Does oil have to be the same brand?

You can add any engine oil as long as it has the right specifications — preferably with an official approval of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Not the brand, but the specification and viscosity indicated in your car's manual are your reference for using the right oil.

Can you still drive if engine oil is low?

Driving with too low of an oil level can saddle you with serious problems. Your car engine will continue to run even if it has very little oil in it. However, eventually, the oil will run out and your engine will start to function less efficiently. The moving parts will no longer have a fluid barrier between them.

How long can you drive with low oil?

If your oil light comes on, you should try to have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Note, though, that driving around a bit more won't destroy anything. Generally speaking, you have about 2 weeks or 500 miles of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem.

What does an engine with low oil sound like?

If you hear grinding, clunking, or knocking noises from your engine, your engine may run without enough lubrication, leading to metal-on-metal contact. If you notice these sounds, it's important to stop driving your car immediately and have your engine checked by a professional.

Is the wrong car oil better than no oil?

The wrong engine oil can cause engine damage because it does not properly lubricate its components. This will lead to metal-on-metal contact since the moving parts are not being lubricated. Friction quickly follows, causing engine parts to wear.

Is it worth buying expensive engine oil?

Taking care of a vehicle by using quality oil will save money in the long run, even though these lubricants are more costly. This is because a vehicle that is well cared for will need fewer repairs. Using low-quality or cheap oil can even cost you dearly, should an engine or transmission need to be replaced.

Is it OK to buy cheap oil?

In most cases, getting a cheap and fast oil change can do more harm than good for your vehicle. Cheap oil breaks down much faster than its counterpart, and it tends to gum up and fail after only a short time. Getting a proper oil change starts with finding the right motor oil.

Can I drive my car straight after topping up oil?

If you drive the car immediately after adding oil, there is a risk that the engine may not be adequately lubricated, which could cause damage. For this reason, it is a good idea to wait a few minutes after adding oil before starting the engine and driving the car.

Should the car be running when checking oil?

Answer. We recommend checking the oil level either before turning on the engine or 5 to 10 minutes after shutting down so you can have all the oil in the oil pan to get an accurate measurement.

How long can I go without an oil change?

However, engine technology has improved greatly over the years. Due to this, cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes.

How long does it take for oil to settle in an engine?

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Make sure you give your car about 1-2 minutes for the oil to settle back into the pan. While the engine is operating, a portion of the oil inside the oil pan is being circulated throughout the engine. This gives the oil time to settle and drain back into the pan.