How much oil does my car need is a question that everyone asks, whether they own a car, van, SUV, truck, semi-truck, or a bus. This article will give you an idea of how much oil your vehicle requires.
However, always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the exact oil requirements for your engine.

Table of Contents
How Much Oil Does My Car Need?
- A four-cylinder engine requires 5 quarts (4.7L) of engine oil.
- If you have a 6-cylinder engine, you will require around 6 quarts (5.6L) of oil.
- An eight-cylinder engine will use 5 – 7 (4.7L – 6.6L) quarts of oil.
- If you have a 12-cylinder engine, you will require 10 – 12 quarts of oil (9L – 11.3L).
This amount varies depending on whether or not you have the mechanic replace the oil filter during an oil change.
How Much Oil Does a Motorbike Need?
A typical motorbike engine holds about 3-4 quarts of oil (2.8L-3.7L). However, a smaller 150 cc engine bike will require less than 2 quarts (1.8L), usually around 1.5 quarts.
How Much Oil Do I Need for My SUV?
Most engines need between 5 and 8 quarts of oil (4.7L-7.5L). A 4-cylinder engine, for example, will require at least 5 (4.7L) quarts of oil, whereas a 6-cylinder engine will require approximately 6 (5.6L) quarts of motor oil.
How Many Quarts of Oil Does Go in a Van?
Depending on the type of van, it might be larger or smaller than a pickup truck or SUV and larger than a standard vehicle. A van requires approximately 6-7 quarts of oil (6L-6.6L)
How Much Oil Does My Truck Need?
A truck will need approximately 6 quarts (5.6L) of oil.

How Much Oil Does a Bus Engine Require?
A typical bus engine takes 5-6 gallons of oil (20-24 quarts or liters 18-22). Buses may carry up to 300 passengers, while the average bus carries between 30 and 100.
The single-deck rigid bus is the most common variety, with double-decker and articulated buses carrying larger loads and minibusses carrying lesser loads.
How Much Oil Does a Semi-Truck Engine Hold?
Semi-truck engines are massive, nearly six times larger than those found in passenger automobiles or conventional trucks. A semi-truck has a large oil capacity, requiring approximately 10-15 gallons of oil (40-60 quarts or 37.8 – 56.7).
What are the Different Types of Car Oil?

• Mineral (Conventional) Oil
Conventional motor oil is the standard oil for a vehicle. It is made from crude oil that is extracted from the ground and processed in a facility.
Conventional motor oil is more affordable than synthetic oil and comes in various viscosity ranges and quality levels. It is suitable for vehicles with simple engine architectures and drivers with conservative driving patterns.
• High-Mileage Fuel
This type of motor oil is designed to handle the specific issues of high-mileage vehicles, especially those with more than 60,000-75,000 miles. It can aid in the reduction of oil consumption, smoke, and emissions from older engines. High mileage oil also reduces leaks and oil seepage.
• Synthetic Motor Oil
Synthetic oil is a lubricant created from artificially synthesized chemical components. Synthetic lubricants are made from chemically modified petroleum components rather than entire crude oil, but they can also be made from other basic sources.
The actual synthesis technique and additive mix are often commercial trade secrets that vary between producers.
Synthetic oil can be used as a substitute for mineral oils when the engine operates in extreme temperatures.
• Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
The difference between synthetic oil and a synthetic blend motor oil is that a synthetic blend motor oil employs a mixture of synthetic and conventional base oils for increased oxidation resistance and good low-temperature qualities compared to conventional oil.
Conclusion
How much oil does my car need varies from model to model and engine type, e.g., oil requirement of a car vs. a semi-truck.
Even within the same vehicle category, the difference in oil requirements might be significant, for example, the 4 Cylinder engine vs. the 6-cylinder engine of a car.
This article is only a general guide; if you have questions regarding your vehicle, the best thing to do is consult the owner’s handbook. This will provide precise answers to the questions you’ve been wondering about. If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, you may always go to the car manufacturer’s website.
References
https://www.chevronlubricants.com/en_us/home/products/havoline-motor-oil.html
https://www.uti.edu/blog/industry-relationships/everything-about-motor-oil