Checking And Topping Up The Oil In Your Automobile

Posted: Mar 16, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

It is important to keep your oil at the correct level to help protect and prolong the life of movable engine parts. If your motor doesn't have sufficient oil, it may be seriously damaged, occasionally beyond repair. You ought to aim to check your oil levels every week; should you spot leakages on your drive or car port floor, or if the car seems to be losing an excessive amount of oil, you might have an engine leak.

Additionally, you will need to change your oil and oil filter at least once a year; a number of manufactures suggest changing the oil every 3,000 miles to keep maximum overall performance.

Checking the Oil

Looking at your oil level is a fairly simple process.

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and wait for the engine to cool down so that the oil has time to settle into the sump.
  2. Open and secure the bonnet.
  3. Find the dipstick; this will commonly be near the front of the motor at one side. Many times, it has a brightly colored handle (red, yellow or orange) that will help you find it.
  4. Pull the dipstick out of its tube and wipe it clean with a clean rag.
  5. Push the dipstick slowly all the way into its tube, and after that pull it out again.
  6. Look at the oil level on the dipstick; it ought to be between the upper and lower limits marked on the dipstick.
  7. If the level is close to the lower mark, or below it, then you need to top up.

While you're checking the oil level, take a look at the color of the oil. If it's very dark brown or black, it will have to be changed. If the oil is milky or coffee coloured, then it means that the engine coolant has become mixed with the oil, indicating a serious engine problem like a blown cylinder head gasket.

Topping Up the Oil

  1. Find the oil filler cap, that is usually on top of the motor, clearly marked 'oil'.
  2. Unscrew the cap carefully and place to one side.
  3. Pour in about a litre of oil, utilizing a funnel if required. You need to make certain you use the same type and brand of engine oil that is already in the engine.
  4. Wait a minute for the oil to drain right down to the bottom of the engine, then recheck the dipstick level using the method shown above.
  5. Repeat until the oil level is approximately midway between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. However, you have to take care not to overfill, as this can cause leaks.
  6. Replace the dipstick and close the oil filler cap.

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