Can engine oil from a different brand be added?

One thing is apparent: specifications are key. 

Any engine oil can be applied, as long as the specifications are correct — preferably having the official approval of the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). 

The specification and viscosity shown in your car’s manual supply your reference for using the right oil, not the brand

Even if my last oil change was through another brand, can I still add Champion engine oil?

Yes. All Champion lubricants are manufactured following the correct formula, both base oils and additives, prescribed by the additive supplier to comply with the specification needed.

Champion products can always replace another brand, no matter whether used for top up or oil change. Because we only use first quality base oils, in many instances, our products are of superior quality.

Adding engine oil

Check the oil level of your car before you top up  Follow this advice:

Turn the engine off

Park the car on a level surface and wait at least five minutes with the engine turned off.

Locating and cleaning the dipstick

Raise the bonnet, and after locating the dipstick, take it out and erase the oil using a clean cloth. Examine the oil level marks on the bottom of the dipstick. The indicator lines have minimum and maximum levels.

Oil level check

Push the dipstick gently down into its tube, and then extract it again. The oil level should be between the upper and lower level marks. Should the level be near the lower mark, a top up is required.

Topping up with the correct oil

Take off the oil filler cap to top up your oil. Pour in some oil, waiting several seconds for the oil to drain to the bottom of the engine before rechecking the oil level.

If required, put some more in, but be careful not to overfill it.

Why routinely adding engine oil is so essential

Compare an engine to the blood that is in the human body: it is absolutely vital. It just cannot run without it. 

Engine oil cushions moving components, keeping them from making contact with each other while guarding against wear and tear.

Approximately 1 litre of oil every 5,000 kilometres is used by modern engines, meaning it is necessary to check and top up oil levels between services (nowadays up to 30,000 kilometres). 

Look to initiate a monthly oil check – and always do so prior to making a lengthy trip.

Allow for a spare litre of top up oil as back-up

Does the warning light on your dashboard illuminate? Then it is essential to top up your oil level. 

The light warns that the oil level has reached a crucial low point and failure to top up will cause severe problems or even a catastrophic engine breakdown, creating an expensive outlay either way.

Therefore, we advise having one litre of the correct top up oil with you whenever you drive.

What if you don’t have the right oil at hand? We recommend adding another engine oil, but ideally, the same viscosity, at least. After which, drive to the nearest garage and change with the right engine oil.

Topping up other lubricants or fluids, they need it too

Oil isn’t the only fluid that needs topping up. 

The following fluids need refilling on a regular basis:

• brake fluid
• power steering
• radiator coolant
• Adblue 
• and windscreen washer fluid 

Modern cars mostly have indicator lights for these fluids installed on the dashboard, telling you when a top up or even change is required. Except maybe for the windscreen washer fluid, your garage will top up or refill these fluids.

Summary:

• The specification and viscosity shown in your car’s manual supply your reference for using the right oil, not the brand.
• Champion product equivalents can always replace another brand, no matter whether used for top up or oil change.
• Instructions on adding engine oil.
• Engine oil is as important to an engine as blood is to the human body; therefore, it is absolutely vital.
• We advise always having one litre of the right top up oil in your car.