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30 October 2025 (updated) Can You Put Oil in a Hot Engine? How Long Should You Let it Cool?
Wondering if it’s safe to add oil to a hot engine? This guide covers the best time to top up your engine oil and why patience matters. Find out how long you should let your engine cool, the potential risks of adding oil too soon, and essential tips for safe car maintenance. Protect yourself and your car!
Can you put oil in a hot engine?
No, adding oil to a hot engine is strongly discouraged due to the risk of severe burns and thermal shocks. As a rule, you should wait around 10 to 20 minutes for the motor to cool down. This will also give the oil time to settle in the engine, making measurements more accurate. Once it has cooled down, you can use the dipstick (if provided) to check how much oil needs to be added.
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What happens if I put oil in a hot engine?
Experts generally advise against adding oil to a piping hot engine as there is a high risk of someone getting burnt and boiling oil splattering everywhere. While the risk of damaging the engine is fairly low, it is still possible that the sudden change in temperature could cause unnecessary stress on the components.
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How long to let engine cool before adding oil
As mentioned above, you should wait a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes after driving to allow the car engine to cool down. This will prevent you from getting burned by hot metal components or bubbling oil or steam. It will also help the new engine oil to circulate without risk.
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