Even after years of development in the automotive industry, one thing remains the same: You need to check your car’s engine oil regularly to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
Knowing the basic parameters of owning a vehicle can keep expensive problems at bay. And the good news is, you only need to take out a few minutes every couple of weeks to prevent breakdowns.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to checking your engine oil:
Step 1: Park Your Car
Before you pop the hood, make sure the car is parked on a level surface. Inclined or declined surfaces can lead to a false reading since the engine oil can pool on one side. Your garage floor or a smooth section of road is ideal.
Next, turn off the engine and wait for a few minutes to let the engine cool down. This is especially important if you’ve been driving. Waiting for a few minutes will allow the engine oil time to settle back into the oil pan.
Step 2: Locate the Dipstick
Once the car is cooled down, open the hood and find the dipstick. It is a long, thin metal rod located near the engine block. Dipsticks are usually brightly colored (often yellow) to ensure easy identification. The oil can symbol is stamped, so you really can’t miss it.
The dipstick has markings indicating the minimum and maximum acceptable engine oil levels.
Step 3: Remove the Dipstick and Clean
Next, take out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or a clean cloth to remove any debris or dust. Cleaning the dipstick has one primary purpose: It removes any splashed oil, which can give you a false reading.
Step 4: Reinsert the Dipstick Fully
Next, reinsert the dipstick fully and remove it again in one swift motion. As mentioned earlier, a dipstick has two lines marked with “min” and “max.”
The lower mark indicates that the oil is one quart low, whereas the upper mark indicates full. Some dipsticks also say “safe” and “add” on the upper and lower ends, respectively.
Step 5: Check Oil Level and Color
After removing the dipstick, take the reading. The oil level of your car should be between “min” and “max.” If the level is below the minimum, your engine doesn’t have enough oil, which could be impacting its functionality.
If the dipstick is completely clean, your engine oil levels are dangerously low. Immediately add a quart of oil.
Moreover, pay close attention to the color and texture of the oil. Fresh, healthy oil is usually amber or light brown and slightly translucent. If it looks dark, dirty, or gritty, it’s time for an oil change. Lastly, milky oil could indicate a more serious problem, like coolant mixing with the oil.
You should also check the nearby car parts. Opt for a reliable car parts supplier, such as Ovoko FR, to keep the car in excellent condition.
Step 6: Wait and Recheck
After adding engine oil, wait for a few minutes and check again. This will give the oil a chance to make its way to the crankcase.
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