bexiga

Hi All, Decided to give my car a visit today while in storage. Decided to check the oil and noticed that the oil level according to the dip stick, is at the first x [ low ]. My question is, I've got Mobil 1 in the engine now but plan on changing the oil to Amsoil synthetic as soon as I get her home from storage. Could I use some regular non synthetic oil to put in it before I drive her home ? I'm worried something might happen if I try and drive it home with so little oil in it? I would be changing the oil out and doing a full oil change with a new filter and Amsoil Synthetic. I cant believe I never checked the oil before storing it. It will become a regular thing now going forward.

zeroptzero

You should be safe with any oil used for toping up bud, it's not a problem of any sorts. At that level you are about .8 quarts low, it's not a huge deal. You don't usually get engine damage issues unless you go over 2 quarts low and do some hard cornering or hard braking , acceleration. It would even be fine for a short trip home without top-up as your hot temp readings will be higher than the stone cold reading you see on it now. But top it off with a 1/2 quart of any cheap oil and take it home in spring to do the new oil change. You can use any 30 weight oil you can find, it doesn't even have to be 10w30.

bexiga

Thanks bud for the reply, I cant believe I'm only .8 q low? Looking at the dip stick, I thought forsure I was down like 2-3 liters? Makes me feel better I'm not as low as I first thought.

CKit

It's a small engine. It doesn't take much to go from L to H.

icantbeseen1

L to H should be one quart if im not mistaken. i had worried myself before when it happened to me

zeroptzero

thus one x above L would be approx. .8 quarts down.

downloader

did you start the car, or did you check the oil when it was cold?

ahrmike

normal oil in there wont do any damage if you drain it properly. 1 qt of nonsynth in 4 qts of synth + drain = almost no non synthetic left

Matt15

surprised no one else has really mentioned this... you are supposed to check the oil hot, so if it is at the 1st X cold, then there is more than enough in there.

slalom44

I'd be inclined to think the opposite. While in storage for long periods, all of the oil usually seeps out of the filter and journals. That would make the actual hot level even lower. But you're still fine for a short trip, IMO.