reading 4l oil jugs

mrweather wrote: ↑ One would assume that if the jug is labeled 4L that it contains 4L. The markings on the side tell how much is left after you dump some oil out. I wouldn’t rely on the markings to be exact to the millilitre.

denti72 wrote: ↑ i'm assuming you've not tried

denti72 wrote: ↑ While changing the oil on my car, i tried and read that line/ strip on the back of the big oil jugs to see how much i put in.

I usually guessimate on the low side and top off but figured i had some time yesterday and decide to see. Well... i could not read that line at all?

What's the trick to reading how much oil you put in by reading the little line?

I've been wrenching on cars for over 20yrs and the only ones that i can read are those liter while bottles. any of the big 4l is impossible.

vkizzle wrote: ↑ Maybe the below video will help.

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ I have empty 1 litre oil bottle for jugs I can't read or comprehend. May take extra mins to pour into the litre bottle and into the engine but at least I know for sure.

er34er34 wrote: ↑ You are really overthinking this. The engine has a dipstick for a reason. Do an initial fill, start up the engine for 10 seconds, shut it off, then top up. Repeat if necessary.

All this pouring between bottles is a waste of time.

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ Say I need 6.5L for an oil change and I have 2x 4.73L jugs. I pour 1 jug into the engine and do 1x 1000ml and 1x 750ml.

Easypeasy.

er34er34 wrote: ↑ And you wouldn't still check the dipstick after?

In that time, I'd pour the entire 4.73L jug, then just pour roughly 1/3-1/4 to get roughly to within the range of the dip stick markings(between Fill and Full).

Start the car, shut off, check the stick, top up, done, while you're still pouring them into your small containers. And hopefully you haven't spilled any because that's another mess you'll be dealing with.

I guess now I know why people say changing your own oil is such a hassle - you are making your life unnecessarily difficult...

thisischris wrote: ↑ It's a car not a rocket ship. Dump some oil in, check dip stick, start/stop engine, fill up within dip stick limits.

vkizzle wrote: ↑ Agreed, but it's a bitch if you overfill.
Crawl back under to drain, or siphon from the dipstick hole.