Do I need an oil change or just top up the oil?

Question Forum
1

Oil life shows 50%
Should I top up the oil or when should I get an oil change on my 2023 Mustang Ecoboost?

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2

Neither

3

You’re probably getting confused by the 1700km to empty, tbh I’m not sure why they would phrase it like that. But it’s oil life and not oil level. It’s really just a way of letting you know your car is due for service.

4

You don’t need to “top up” oil unless you’ve got a nasty oil leak. Leave it alone, and change it when oil life gets about 5-10%.

5

That’s just how much ‘life’ it has left. It’s a service interval. So you’re about halfway before you need another oil change according to the electronics in the car.

My Chevy SS has one of those, and it’s set to 7k miles, which I don’t follow. I’m a fudd and always do my oil changes every 5k miles for peace of mind. You can probably follow that interval and be fine. I just am the way I am.

6

@Benjamin
Upvote for the usage of ‘fudd’. IYKYK

7

Wow estimate service date. My car gets oil changes when I have time for it :joy:. All jokes aside, how many miles in are you on this current OCI?

8

Read your owner’s manual. It should be the 1st thing you do after buying a vehicle.

9

Smartest EcoBoost owner

10

Yes, it is 55% left, which means you have room for 45% more oil in there. If you’re servicing, might as well check other fluid levels too like headlight fluid.

11

Farley said:
Yes, it is 55% left, which means you have room for 45% more oil in there. If you’re servicing, might as well check other fluid levels too like headlight fluid.

You had me in the first half…

12

Why would you ‘top up’? Is the level low that you need to add extra oil to bring it up to the correct level?

13

And this person drives…

14

Keep in mind those oil sensors are mechanical and everything ever that is mechanical will inevitably break. Check your dipstick, if it’s low or dark and smells burnt, fix that. If it’s full and looks clear-ish… you’re good.

15

That means the oil is 50% contaminated. Not 50% gone.

16

North said:
That means the oil is 50% contaminated. Not 50% gone.

No it doesn’t. It means he’s halfway due for his next change. What would be contaminating his oil?

17

ShelbySam said:

North said:
That means the oil is 50% contaminated. Not 50% gone.

No it doesn’t. It means he’s halfway due for his next change. What would be contaminating his oil?

You serious right now? :skull:

18

@North
You seriously think half of his oil is dirt and debris? Lmao.

19

ShelbySam said:
@North
You seriously think half of his oil is dirt and debris? Lmao.

This is the hill you’re dying on while OP thinks half his oil is GONE? :skull: