Topping up oil

[Gazdkw]

I purchased my car around 3 months ago. Just before I got it the garage gave it a basic service which included engine oil/filter etc.

I had a light yesterday saying low oil level. Had the same today.

Iv ordered some oil to do a complete change do i know what's ok it. However, how urgent is the situation now? Will it be ok for a few more days until I change it or should I stop it up now?

If I need to top it up, what do I use. I have no idea what pills the garage used when they serviced it and I'm unsure if potentially mixing oils is a good idea?

[Kev0607]

It needs doing urgently, you've got a low oil light on... Check the dipstick to see how low it actually is. If its really low, I wouldn't be driving the car on long distances or at all if I could help it. Change the oil as a matter of urgency & the correct oil to use should be listed in your owner's manual, or there should be a sticker in the engine bay confirming what you should use (The sticker is usually near the headlights/bonnet hinge area).

Mixing oils isn't a good idea, so there's not much point topping it up if you don't know the oil that the garage used when they serviced the car. This is why I'd personally suggest doing the service now & putting fresh oil in. Don't use any oil you come across to service your vehicle, only use the one your car requires.

[Gazdkw]

You see I'm stuck in a position here.

I have 4ltr's of the correct spec oil (shell ultra) however that's not enough. I have another 4 litres turning up Thursday.

I will check the car in a mo and see what the level is like. If it's really low then I think topping it up with this has got to be better than not enough oil. I do 20 miles a day so looking at 40/50 miles with it.

[Gazdkw]

I checked this morning. It's just above minimum so looks like I have a few days at least

[Zebster]

If you've got the correct spec oil then simply top it up. I've never heard of a problem in mixing engine oils.

[Rids666]

Just top it up to the correct level with the oil you have. As long as it's the same type then can't see why being a different manufacturer would matter. I certainly wouldn't waste doing a complete oil change for it!

[green van man]

Any oil is better than no oil.

If you have 4 litres of oil and another 4 on order you have enough to top up what's in there and to do a compleate change, 5.7 litres needed to fill including the filter. DO NOT FILL to the full mark on the dip stick or you run the risk of too high an oil level when a regeneration fails. 3/4 up the hatched area of the dipstick is correct, hence the 5.7 litres.

If the service was not carried out by a Volvo dealership and you don't know what oil was used you are best off changing it so you know your Base line.

Paul.