The simple answer is: yes. You can, and it’s actually a good idea to do so. The oil will be easier to add and absorb when the car engine is warm.
This is because the temperature of the engine increases the viscosity of the oil—that means it becomes thicker and stickier when it’s hot.
So if you try to add cold oil, it won’t absorb as quickly into the engine, which can cause problems!
Is it safe to put oil in a hot car engine?
Yes, you can put oil in a hot car engine.
The reason you might think it’s not safe to put oil in a hot engine is because the oil might burn up and cause damage to the engine, but this isn’t true.
The oil has already been heated up by the time it gets to your engine, so adding more won’t cause any additional heat.
The only thing that will happen is if you pour too much oil in at once, causing it to slosh around and get on other parts of the engine—and then really, really stick there.
This can cause some damage, but if you’re careful about how much oil you add at once and how fast, this won’t be an issue either!
How long do you have to wait after putting oil in a hot car engine?
When it comes to putting oil in a hot car engine, you have to wait at least 30 minutes.
The reason for this is that the heated metal of the engine will expand and make it harder for the oil to get into all the little nooks and crannies.
You can’t just put oil on top of the engine, either—the heat will make it burn off faster than usual.
So if you’re in a rush, don’t wait until your car is hot before adding oil!
Is there any danger in putting oil in a cold car engine?
There’s no danger in putting oil in a cold car engine as long as you follow the right steps.
First, make sure you have the right type of oil for your car. If you don’t know what type it needs, check your owner’s manual or ask a mechanic.
Then, make sure that you’re using the right kind of oil filter for your vehicle. Again, if you don’t know what type it needs, check your owner’s manual or ask a mechanic.
Put 5 quarts of oil into the engine and let it run for about 5 minutes to warm up before shutting off the engine and checking your dip stick to see that all of the oil has been pumped into all parts of the engine.
Conclusion
Yes, you can put oil in a hot engine. And no, it won’t cause any damage to the engine or make your car run worse.
The reason people think you shouldn’t put oil in a hot engine is that it will get too thin and run right out of the engine. That’s true—but only if you put in more than half of what the car needs at once. If you do that, then yes, it’ll run right out and not lubricate anything.
But if you add just enough to cover the parts of the engine that need lubricating, then adding more will be fine—and even good for your car!
