Motor Oil Capacity: How to Find and Measure It
Motor oil capacity is the amount of oil an engine holds, and it differs from one engine to the next: find the figure in the owner's manual, then measure it out with the bottles and dispensers in this guide.
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The drain pan is under the car, the old oil is out, and the new oil is going in a quart at a time. Motor oil capacity is the amount of oil the engine holds, and it differs from one engine to the next: the owner’s manual states the figure, and the dipstick confirms it. The sections below walk through finding the figure and measuring it out with the bottles and dispensers in this guide.
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Below: where the capacity figure lives, how to read it, and the bottles, pumps and dispensers that measure it out.
motor oil capacity: where the number lives
There is no one figure for motor oil capacity: every engine holds its own amount, and the only figure that counts for your engine is the one in its owner’s manual. The manual states the capacity for that engine; some manuals give separate figures with and without a filter change, and the dipstick shows the level once the oil is in. Do not guess from the size of the engine or from what another car takes: two engines that look alike can hold different amounts, and the manual is the reference that settles it. If the manual is missing, the maker’s service information for that exact engine is the next place to look, not a round number from memory.
Quarts, ounces and gallons: the sizes on the shelf
The listings in this guide show the bottle sizes that turn up on the shelf. The Generac listing is a 5W-30 SN quart bottle sold as a pack of 3, which is 3 quarts in one pack. The Stens listing is a 48 oz bottle of SAE 30 4-cycle engine oil, a smaller bottle for small engines. The WINMAX listing is an 8 quart dispenser, translucent so the oil level reads on the container, marked in both quarts and liters. The Hacaroa listings are storage jugs rather than oil for sale: a 6 pack of 34 oz jugs, and a 3 pack of 1 gallon jugs, both in HDPE with lids. The table below sets out the containers in this guide.
| Container | Size | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Generac 5W-30 SN quart bottle, pack of 3 | Quart, 3 quarts in the pack | Motor oil for an oil change |
| Stens Shield SAE 30 bottle | 48 oz | 4-cycle small engine oil |
| Maxima Quick-2-Mix bottle | 20 oz | 2-stroke fuel and oil mixing |
| Samorillo mixing bottle, 2-pack | 20 oz, 590 ml each | 2-stroke fuel and oil mixing |
| Attwood fuel and oil mixing bottle | Quart | 2-stroke fuel and oil mixing |
| Hacaroa engine oil jugs, 6 pack | 34 oz each | Storage of automotive fluids |
| Hacaroa storage jug, 3 pack | 1 gallon, 4L each | Storage of non-flammable liquids |
| WINMAX oil dispenser | 8 quart | Measuring and pouring bulk oil |
Read the size on the bottle before pouring: a quart bottle holds a quart, a 48 oz bottle holds 48 oz, and a 20 oz mixing bottle holds 20 oz. The WINMAX dispenser is marked in quarts and liters, so the level reads in either unit. The Hacaroa 1 gallon jugs are labeled for non-flammable liquids only, and the listing states they are not a portable fuel container and are not approved for storing or transporting flammable fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene or propane.
Two-stroke mixing ratios
Two-stroke engines do not hold oil in a sump the way a 4-cycle engine does: the oil is mixed with the fuel at a ratio, and the mixing bottles in this guide are made for that job. The Attwood bottle is a quart bottle with a ratio guide for 100:1, 50:1, 24:1 and 10:1 mixes, with gallon and litre marks. The Maxima bottle holds 20 oz and is calibrated for ratios of 24:1 to 100:1, with ounce, cubic centimeter, gallon and liter calibrations, so it also covers custom ratios. The Samorillo bottles hold 20 oz, 590 ml each, and mark 6 ratios: 24:1, 32:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1 and 100:1. A ratio of 24:1 means 24 parts fuel to 1 part oil, and a ratio of 100:1 means 100 parts fuel to 1 part oil, so a higher number after the colon means less oil in the mix. Pick the ratio the engine’s manual states, fill the oil to the mark for the amount of gas being mixed, and do not use a 2-stroke mixing ratio for a 4-cycle engine, which takes straight oil measured in quarts.
Getting oil into the engine
Pouring from a quart bottle is the straightforward way to fill an engine, and the listings here add two tools for harder fills. The WINMAX dispenser holds 8 quarts and has a flexible, removable 8 inch pouring spout, so bulk oil moves from the container to the engine without a funnel. The Bzcovac pump fits most standard quart bottles and moves gear oil with an 8cc pump stroke, through 8mm and 10mm adapters, with a 3/8 inch metal swivel that lets the pump turn without rotating the whole unit. It is listed for outboard lower units on Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha, Johnson, Mercruiser, Nissan, Tohatsu and Honda motors, and carries a 1-year warranty with a 30-day return policy. The Samorillo bottles add a wide mouth and a double-turn, tight-locking cap to keep the mix from leaking in transport.
Storing leftover oil
Leftover oil needs a labeled container with a lid. The Hacaroa 6 pack is 34 oz black HDPE jugs with lids and an airtight seal, and the Hacaroa 3 pack is 1 gallon HDPE jugs with white lids, a screw-on airtight seal and an ergonomic handle. Both listings state the jugs are for non-flammable liquids such as motor oil, detergent, bleach and industrial cleaners, and the 1 gallon jug listing states it is not for fuel use. The WINMAX dispenser has a spout cap and lid to keep out dirt, dust and other contaminants, so bulk oil stays clean between changes. Keep the container labeled with what is inside, and keep it out of reach of children.
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FAQ: garage tools
How do I find my engine’s oil capacity?
Check the owner’s manual: it states the capacity for that exact engine. The dipstick confirms the level once the oil is in. Do not guess from another engine.
How many quarts does an engine hold?
There is no single figure: capacity differs by engine, and the manual states it. The containers in this guide show the sizes oil comes in: quart bottles, a 48 oz bottle, 20 oz mixing bottles and an 8 quart dispenser.
What is the difference between a quart bottle and a mixing bottle?
A quart bottle holds straight motor oil for an oil change, such as the Generac 5W-30 quart bottle. A mixing bottle, such as the Attwood quart bottle or the Maxima and Samorillo 20 oz bottles, measures oil into fuel at a stated ratio for 2-stroke engines.
Can I use a 2-stroke mixing bottle for engine oil?
Use a mixing bottle for 2-stroke fuel and oil mixes at the ratio the engine’s manual states. A 4-cycle engine takes straight oil measured in quarts, not a fuel and oil mix.
How do I get gear oil into a lower unit?
The Bzcovac pump in this guide fits most standard quart bottles and moves gear oil with an 8cc pump stroke, through 8mm and 10mm adapters, with a 3/8 inch metal swivel.
Related: the engine and shop equipment hub, the how to change oil guide, the best motor oil guide and the oil drain pan guide.
