5 Easy Steps To Check Your Car Engine Oil

Consider motor oil to be the engine’s vital fluid. You should thus check it frequently.

The oil lubricates the moving components inside the engine to prevent premature wear. Minimizing dirt buildup also keeps the engine clean and prevents overheating. Check it frequently to keep your engine in good working order and get the most mileage out of it.

We advise you to check the oil level at each subsequent gas fill-up because it is a simple, quick task. You only need a cloth or paper towel, plus the owner’s handbook of your automobile, if you have any questions.

How to Check Your Car Engine Oil

1. Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine.

Check the owner’s handbook first, then adhere to the manufacturer’s advice. Some more recent vehicles lack a standard dipstick for manual oil checks in favor of an electronic oil monitor.

If you decide to check your car engine oil manually, make sure to do it on a level surface and with the engine turned off. Ensure, in the case of most vehicles, that the engine is cool to avoid getting burned on a hot engine component. This will give you the most accurate reading.

2. Locate the dipstick. It is usually marked with “engine oil” or a picture of an oil can.

If you don’t know where your car’s dipstick is, consult your owner’s manual. The dipstick is usually located near the front of the engine and has a loop or ring at the end of it. Once you’ve found it, pull it out and wipe it clean with a rag.

Push it all the way back in, then pull it out again and check the level. The dipstick will have markings that indicate “full” and “low.” You must add oil if the oil level is below the “low” mark.

3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel.

To check your car engine oil, you will need to locate the dipstick, pull it out, and wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel. The dipstick is usually located near the front of the engine, so it may be necessary to open the hood to access it. Once you have wiped the dipstick clean, reinsert it into the engine and remove it again.

The oil level should be somewhere between the “full” and “low” marks on the dipstick. If it is below the “low” mark, you will need to add oil to your car. To do this, open the oil filler cap (usually located near the front of the engine) and pour in a small amount of oil. Wait a few minutes for the oil to settle before rechecking the level.

4. Insert the dipstick back into the engine and pull it out again.

Now that the dipstick is clean reinsert it into the engine and pull it out again. Take a look at the level of oil on the dipstick. You’re good to go if it’s above the “full” line. You may need to add more engine oil if it’s below the “full” line.

5. Check the level of oil on the dipstick. If it is below the “low” mark, add oil.

Adding oil to your car is a relatively simple task that anyone with a bit of knowledge of cars can do. It is vital to keep your car’s engine well-lubricated to prevent damage and extend the engine’s life.

Follow these steps the next time you need to add oil to your car.

STEP 5.1 Insert the dipstick back into its tube. Push it all the way in, then pull it out again to check the oil level.

You should see two marks on the dipstick – a “full” mark and a “low” mark. If the oil level is between these two marks, then your car has enough oil. You need to add more oil if it’s below the “low” mark.

STEP 5.2 Add oil if necessary.

If your car needs more oil, unscrew the cap on the oil tank (usually located at the front or side of the engine) and pour in enough oil until the level reaches the “full” mark on the dipstick. Screw the cap back on tightly when you’re done.

Pour in your desired amount of engine oil, being careful not to overfill it. Recheck the level with the dipstick to ensure you’re at the correct level; if you’re above the “full” mark, you’ve added too much oil and should remove some.

STEP 5.3 Dispose of used oil properly!

Don’t pour used motor oil down storm drains or into gutters where it can eventually find its way into waterways! Used motor oil must be recycled – there are special collection facilities for this purpose.

Replace the dipstick and screw on the cap tightly until it clicks into place.

PRO TIP

Examine the oil’s color as well. It should be brown or black in color. However, if it seems light and milky, coolant may be seeping into the engine.

Additionally, pay particular attention to any metal fragments since they might indicate internal engine damage. Get the vehicle to a mechanic for a more thorough examination if you notice one of these issues. The automobile should be towed if you think there is a coolant leak.

If everything is in order, re-clean the dipstick and re-insert it into the tube, ensuring it is well seated. You’re done when you close the hood.

How to Add Engine Oil

Use the owner’s manual’s suggested engine oil grade. Typically, it will be given a classification like 0W-20 or 5W-30. Any gas station, auto parts store, several supermarkets, and cheap shops all sell it by the quart.

Remove the oil filler cap, which is often found on top of the engine, to add oil. To prevent oil from spilling into the engine, other components, or even the floor, it helps to use a funnel.

You should apply engine oil gradually since overdosing on it harms the engine. Add roughly a half-quart at first. After about a minute, check the dipstick once more.

Add the remaining quart if the level is below or close to the minimum threshold. You won’t often need to add more than a quart unless your engine leaks or burns oil (or if you haven’t checked it in a while). But if a second quart is required, add it gradually as well, checking along the way.

Reinstall the oil filler cap tightly. Spills are reduced when a funnel is used.

Conclusion

Most modern vehicles have an engine oil replacement period of 10,000 kilometers or more. This is due to increased traffic and slower average speeds.

The longer an engine runs, the more oil it consumes, especially in older vehicles. The internal engine components of an engine might suffer damage from low engine oil levels. It may even result in the automobile completely breaking down.

Although low engine oil won’t be fatal, it is nonetheless advised to check the oil level every few weeks.