Checking car oil is important to do so that your car remains durable. This is one of the easiest periodic maintenance you can do yourself, and it's important to do it before long trips that require hours of machine use. You can learn to find the right gauge in your car, spot potential problems, and resolve them if needed.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Dipstick
Step 1. Read your car's user manual
Mobil One and other oil manufacturers recommend that you change your car's oil before using your car, while the oil is still cold. However, there are other oil manufacturers who recommend that you check the oil after heating your car, so it's a good idea to read your car's user manual to find out what recommendations are right for your car. When checking the oil, the oil should be in the oil tank and not in the engine. The oil will be in the engine while you are driving. Immediately after driving, less oil will appear and you will run the risk of filling in more oil than needed. If you have just finished driving and want to check the oil, wait a moment for the oil to return to the oil tank.
- If the weather is very cold, it's better to drive for a while so that the oil has time to dilute. Warm up the engine for a few minutes, then let it cool for five minutes before checking.
- Many people argue about whether the oil should be checked when the engine is hot or cold. There are oil manufacturers who recommend checking the oil when the engine is warm, and that's actually fine, if you know how to read the indicators correctly. When the oil is cold, the indicator will appear as if the oil is "less" than the actual amount, but the oil will thin out as the engine temperature slowly rises to normal operating temperature.
- When the engine is hot, synthetic oil will expand more than regular oil, so if your car uses synthetic oil, it's best to have it checked when it's cold. Ask the repair shop if you are not sure.
Step 2. Park the car on a flat surface
To get an accurate reading, you must ensure that the oil does not collect on either side of the oil tank. This can lead to erroneous readings. Park your car on a flat surface to check the oil.
Step 3. Open the hood
Usually, there will be some sort of lever at the bottom of the driver's door. On this lever there will be a sign that looks like the hood of your car is open. You can pull or push this lever, depending on your car model. Then, get out of the car and look for some kind of latch on the front of the hood. This latch is usually located in the middle, but can also be slightly to the side. Pull this latch and lift the hood of your car.
In some cars the hood will be able to stand on its own without support. There are also car models where the hood needs to be supported by a kind of stick, which is usually folded in the front or side of the engine compartment. Raise this stick (there will be a gap in the hood where you can attach it) and then remove the hood
Step 4. Find the dipstick
In most cars, this dipstick comes with a red, orange, or yellow top; circular or square shape; sticking out of the machine and leaning to one side. In certain car brands such as Honda and Ford, the dipstick sticks out of the car valve cover immediately. The oil dipstick is usually located on the passenger side (not the driver's side) of the car or near the front of the car, and is usually inserted into the dipstick guide about the width of a pencil.
- On most cars, there will be a symbol with an oil container as a marker for the oil dipstick. When you have found this dipstick, now all you have to do is pull it out and you can check the oil.
- In cars with automatic transmission, there will be two dipsticks. One for oil and the other for transmission oil (transmission fluid). The dipstick for transmission oil is usually located at the rear of the engine or on the driver's side. The transmission oil dipstick hole is usually also larger. Transmission oil is usually pink or red in color. Careful! Do not let you put engine oil in the transmission oil tank, because repairs can be very expensive.
Step 5. Prepare unused tissue or cloth
When checking the oil, you should prepare a tissue or cloth to wipe the oil and check its consistency. It's easier to use paper towels because you'll need the white background. These tissues and cloths can also be used to wipe your hands.
Part 2 of 3: Checking the Oil
Step 1. Remove the dipstick
Most dipsticks are 30-90 cm long. You'll need a measuring mark at the end. Gently pull the dipstick while covering the oil hole with a tissue to prevent the oil from spilling out.
You don't have to pull hard or twist the dipstick, but removing it from the engine can be a little tricky. Once it's off, the dipstick can be pulled out easily. Not be forced
Step 2. Check the color and quality of the oil
The color and consistency of engine oil indicates its age and there may also be other issues with engine efficiency that you should pay attention to. Once you remove the dipstick, you can see the quality of the oil in your engine. Engine oil of good quality will appear greenish yellow and not dark. Wipe the oil from the tip of the dipstick and look at the cloth.
- The more particles that enter from the engine to the oil, the oil will change color from gold or amber to brown and black. Over time, metal particles and flakes will slowly scratch and finish off the engine cylinders. That's the reason why your car's oil should be changed at the time intervals recommended by your car manufacturer (see your car's user manual or service manual to find out the car's service intervals).
- Pay attention to the color of the oil. Does it look dirty or are there lots of lumps? Does it appear black or dark? If so, that's a sign that your car's oil needs to be changed. Take it to a repair shop or change the oil yourself.
Step 3. Wipe the dipstick and dip it once more into the tank
The first time you pull out the dipstick, there's nothing you can tell about the amount of oil, because the oil will stick to the dipstick at various points. After you check the color of the oil, wipe the dipstick clean and put it back in the hole, then immediately take it out again to see the amount of oil.
Step 4. Pay attention to the amount of oil
Usually there will be two small dots at the end of the dipstick. One point indicates the maximum capacity of the oil tank, and the other point indicates the minimum capacity of the oil tank. The minimum point is usually near the end of the stick, and the maximum point is about 2.5 cm from the minimum point. When the engine is cold, the amount of oil in your car is sufficient when the dipstick is wet to about halfway between the two points.
- The minimum mark is generally very close to the tip of the dipstick. You will need to add oil if your dipstick is only wet to a point between the minimum point and the tip of the wand.
- Do not let the amount of oil higher than the maximum point. However, if you check the oil while the engine is hot, the amount of oil will probably be near that point. If the amount of oil is higher, you will need to suck some oil out of your car.
Part 3 of 3: Oil Filling
Step 1. Read your car's user manual
Before filling the oil, you should know what kind of oil your car needs. You should check beforehand because the type will vary, even from the same car model with a different year of production. Make sure you read the car's user manual or ask your repair shop, as you shouldn't mix different types of oil in one tank.
You can also ask an auto supply store employee to determine the type of oil your car needs. If you know the make and year of your car, they can find you the type of oil you need. You can also look it up yourself in the car's user manual
Step 2. Locate the oil fill hole on the top of your car's engine
This oil fill cap usually says " Oil Fill " and sometimes also tells you the type of oil you need. For example, if it says "5w30", that type of oil is needed. Remove the hole cover, wipe it with the tissue or cloth you prepared, and place a clean funnel.
It's a good idea to use a funnel to fill the oil, otherwise you could spill oil on the engine, which will burn, smell bad, and cause other problems
Step 3. Fill with the right type of oil
You have to wait a while for the oil you just added to be sucked into the oil tank. Proper process: fill the funnel to the brim, then let the engine slowly suck the oil into the tank. Avoid filling the funnel to overflowing.
If some oil spills onto the engine, don't worry. Spilled oil is usually harmless, although it will smell bad and be a little smoky. Try to clean as much as you can with a cloth or tissue
Step 4. Check the oil again
Remove the dipstick and note the amount of oil in the tank. Repeat this process until there is enough oil in the tank, as shown by the dipstick. Always wipe the dipstick after reading. When finished, double check whether the dipstick and oil hole cap are securely in place. Double-check the other parts you've tampered with, then remove the cloth, tissue, funnel, or oil bottle from the engine. Lower the hood support and close the hood.
Tips
- Use a cloth or tissue to dry the dipstick.
- Check the oil every time you fill up with gas.
- Checking the oil regularly is very important to avoid engine damage.
- Wait until the car's engine has been off for at least half an hour to get a proper reading.
Warning
- If the amount of oil is below the minimum point, your car is prone to damage.
- Do not fill too much oil. If you fill too much oil, foam will develop when the oil reaches the crank and will cause engine smoothing problems.
