Can You Add Oil to a Hot Engine?
You can add oil to a hot engine—but waiting 20 to 30 minutes after the engine has been shut off will minimize your chances of being burned.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
You can add oil to a hot engine—but it is recommended that you wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after turning off your engine before measuring or changing your oil. Doing so minimizes your chances of being burned and gives you a more accurate oil level measurement.
If your vehicle’s oil warning light has come on, your next move should be to pick up a quart or two of oil to change or top it off. But when it comes time to add said oil, is it better to do so as soon as possible while the engine is still hot, or wait until the engine has cooled down?
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Can you add oil to a hot engine?
Yes, you can put oil in a hot engine. Whether your engine has been running for an hour or only a few minutes, adding cold oil to a hot engine will not harm it. This is, however, only recommended when you are simply topping off your oil rather than changing it or checking the
oil level
.MORE:
How to test an oil pump
What temperature is best?
Generally speaking, you’ll want to add oil when the engine is warm rather than hot, as this will still allow the oil to move freely without putting you at risk of an accidental burn. You’ll also want a warm engine over a hot engine if you are measuring the oil level, as oil expands when it is hot, meaning you won’t get an accurate reading.
Here are a few tips on how to get your engine to the right temperature:
- If your engine has been running for a while, shut it off. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before adding or changing your oil.
- If your engine is cold, start your vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to warm it up, and then shut it off.
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FAQ
Can you add oil to a car when it’s hot?
Yes, you can add oil to a car when it’s hot, but you should only do so if you are topping your oil off. If you are changing your oil or need to measure the oil level, consider waiting 20 to 30 minutes after turning off the engine to reduce the risk of burning yourself.
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