What capacity is better ?

[Bob in Utah]

Currently running these motors

Toyota 4.7L Land Cruisers with 7.2 quart oil capacity of 5w30

Toyota/Lexus 4.6L with 8.1 quart oil capacity of 0-20

GM 6.0L in 2500HD truck…a mere 6 quart capacity of 5w30

Kawasaki Teryx 800 cc V twin…4 quarts of 10-40 synthetic

Most ATV/SxS machines are 2 quarts….

Engineering must know why who decides how much oil

But why ?

 

[Blang]

Maybe there is more to it, but I've noticed that twin cam engines typically have a higher capacity than pushrod engines. The 6.0 Chevy V8 shares the same overall size and oil capacity as a 4.8 (like in my truck). My little 2.2 DOHC in my Cavalier takes 5 quarts. Interestingly enough the 2014 and newer small block 5.3/6.2 takes 8 or so quarts. I wonder if the increased capacity was to keep the 0w-20 cooler? So I would say there are several variables.

 

[nomas]

Do you actually worry about these things ?

 

[vwmaniaman]

My 65 VW beetle only takes 2.5 quarts but it gets changed at 2500 to 3000 miles. the other half quart goes in the oil bath air filter.

 

[RooflessVW]

Bigger is always better.

Lots of things dictate and engine's sump size: packaging, expected use of the vehicle, oil quality, expected intervals...

 

[Patman]

The only negative about having a large capacity is for short trips, as it will take longer to fully get up to operating temperature

 

[Leo99]

Do you actually worry about these things ?

I don't worry, but I'm also curious the calculations and factors that the engineers use to establish the sump capacity. Just today, I was thinking about this. My Camry holds 5 quarts while my RAV4 holds 4.5 quarts. Seems more practical to have both hold 5 quarts. But don't think practicality enter into the engineer's calculations. If I was the engineer and the calculation came out that 4.7 quarts was ideal, I'd round it up to 5 quarts knowing that oil comes in 5 quart jugs.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I have OilChangeDrama so I certainly worry about it. Especially in a car with a (IMHO) tiny 3.4qt sump for a GDI-T engine that dilutes the oil with fuel. The manufacturer , Honda says "Owners need not worry about it." YET China banned the sales of vehicle with the engines.
So yeah , sure. I worry about it now and then. It is the very reason I do 3000-3500 mi oci with the car.
If I followed Honda's great OLM that goes off around 10,000mi I would have an extra quart of fluid that would contain a lot of gasoline in the oil. I verified that on the very first oil change when I tried to follow the OLM. Never again. The car does still run fine. I just imagine but may be way off base here. If the cars were designed with a bit larger sump, maybe they would not throw off so much heat from the engine bay even when it is running @ exactly the normal heat range. I am sure someone will explain why that thinking is wrong and I look forward to hearing it. Just something I have wondered about. As I said. Suffering with OCD for many years.

 

[AZjeff]

The 3.3L V6 in the old Xterra held 3.5qt with the filter. I figured 3-3.5k OCIs were plenty.

 

[CharBaby]

I believe in more oil capacity than 3.5-4.0 qts. e.g., 5 or more.
My buddy's F-150 w/5.0L Coyote crank case holds 9 qts. IDKY that much but it does.
I like more capacity to hold the same amount of dirt entering the engine.

 

[bighead2586]

I own a Lexus V6 (6.4 quarts) and a Honda V6 (4.5 quarts) and I would think the larger sump would be a plus for the Lexus.

 

[V70tdi]

Interesting idea. Haven't thought about it much but the oil pan must contain enough so that the oil has time to circulate and drain back into the pan without the pump running dry. Larger volume should allow for a lower oil temperature which gives the oil a longer life.

 

[Jetronic]

Currently running these motors

Toyota 4.7L Land Cruisers with 7.2 quart oil capacity of 5w30

Toyota/Lexus 4.6L with 8.1 quart oil capacity of 0-20

GM 6.0L in 2500HD truck…a mere 6 quart capacity of 5w30

Kawasaki Teryx 800 cc V twin…4 quarts of 10-40 synthetic

Most ATV/SxS machines are 2 quarts….

Engineering must know why who decides how much oil

But why ?

You forgot to add the oil change interval in the list. Longer interval tends to require bigger capacity.

 

[Oldwolf]

My Toyota 3.5L holds 6.4 quarts.

 

[Cujet]

More oil capacity extends the oil change interval. As I understand it, a doubling of the oil capacity adds 40% to 50% to the OCI.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

My 2001 Ford Ranger .. 6 cyl 4L held .... 4.5 quarts
My 2025 Ford Escape .. 3 cyl 1.5L holds .... 5.3 quarts

The Escape's OLM (a lot of short trips), is at 15% with 3,500 miles.
If it had a smaller sump, people would be complaining about more frequent oil changes.

 

[Wireman1987]

I wonder if the increased capacity was to keep the 0w-20 cooler? Explain please?

 

[Nessism1]

The 3.3L V6 in the old Xterra held 3.5qt with the filter. I figured 3-3.5k OCIs were plenty.

2006 Sentra 1.8 engine only held 2.9 quarts. Fortunately, it didn't burn any.

 

[Wireman1987]

2006 Sentra 1.8 engine only held 2.9 quarts. Fortunately, it didn't burn any.

Simpler times back then vehicles didn’t rev as high some that lacked V V T tend to have had smaller sumps. also I think vehicles were more dependent on radiator cooling vs newer designs use more of the engines lubrication system and oil to extract extra heat newer engines are inherent to creating. Benefits of modern synthetic oils. Some of where the thick vs thin debates hold weight. An example 20Wt will move slightly faster with less drag than a 30Wt, a 20Wt may show higher oil temp readings over the 30Wt cause of its heat transfer cycling. Not to spark a thick - thin discussion it’s just reality the thinner oil will have slightly quicker heat transfer registering through the oil temp sensor.

 

[Bob in Utah]

You forgot to add the oil change interval in the list. Longer interval tends to require bigger capacity.

OCI are 5K max

Remember the ‘02 Chevy HD….41 oil changes in 145K miles