You can save money by changing your car's oil yourself. Although it's a little different for every car, adding oil is something anyone can do as long as they are thorough and dare to get dirty. However, adding oil does not mean changing the oil.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking the Oil
Step 1. Check the oil 5 minutes after the car turns off
If you check the oil immediately after turning off the car, you will get inaccurate results, as some of the oil will still be on the top of the engine. Also park the car on a level, level surface to make sure you don't check for oil on a sloping surface.
- Most car manufacturers require that you check the oil after heating the car by running it in place for 3-5 minutes. Check the car owner's manual when in doubt.
- To be on the safe side, you should check the oil every month, and more often if you have to drive long distances.
Step 2. Open the hood
Usually you need to pull a small lever or press a button near the driver's seat to unlock the hood. After that, trace the gap between the hood and the car body by hand until you find a small lever, usually in the middle of the hood, and push it inwards to fully open the hood.
Step 3. Locate the car dipstick
The small, usually yellow, cap with this circle is often labeled “Engine Oil”, but even if it isn't, it shouldn't be hard to find it. The dipstick is a long metal rod that sticks down the oil tank tube to tell, based on the level of the oil line, how much oil is in the engine. The dipstick is usually near the front of the car and has a circular handle or a brightly colored hook that you can pull out without touching the oil at all.
Step 4. Take a dipstick and wipe it with a dry cloth
The oil from the engine will splash onto the dipstick when the car is started, which means you will have to clean it and reinsert it for accurate results. Pay attention to markings near the center or bottom of the bar, often dots, lines, criss-crossed squares, or indentations. The highest mark is a “Full Line”, and your oil should be between the two lines.
Step 5. Reinsert the dipstick and take it out to check the oil
This time you should observe the position of the oil in the blade. It should be closer to the top mark than the bottom mark, usually as close as you can get. However, unless the level is at or lower than the minimum mark, you do not need to add oil.
If the line is close and you're not sure if you should add oil or not, drive and check the oil again after 2-3 weeks
Step 6. Understand the dipstick display
Is the oil black, brown or clear? Is the dipstick clean or is it smudged and dark? The oil is initially light brown in color, but will darken with use as the engine starts, accumulating dirt from the combustion cycle and due to heat. The color of the oil also depends on the distance traveled. For example, if you drive an older car 8,000 km per month, the car will burn about 950 ml of oil every month.
- If the oil looks thick or white, there may be a coolant leak and the car should be towed to a repair shop immediately.
- If there are particles or pieces of metal in the oil, take the car to a repair shop immediately.
- If the oil looks dirty or looks like mud, it's time for an oil change.
- It's best not to add oil every few weeks or months – this may be a sign of a leak.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Oil
Step 1. Use the recommended oil in the owner's manual
There aren't as many reasons to change the oil as recommended in the owner's manual, but often it doesn't make buying oil any easier. Understanding the numbers and values on engine oil packaging will make you a better consumer and can help keep your car running smoothly.
Step 2. Understand how to read oil viscosity (thickness)
Viscosity represents the viscosity of a liquid or resistance to flow. High viscosity usually doesn't flow smoothly because it's thicker (for example, yogurt is thicker than milk). There are two types of oil viscosity numbers, represented by combinations such as 10W-30 or 20W-50. The first number, which has the letter W, is the winter temperature of the oil. This number shows how well it flows in cold weather when the oil becomes thicker. The second number indicates how well the oil maintains viscosity when hot.
- The first number should be 5W or lower if you live in a very cold area (see the owner's manual), as the oil can become too thick to start the car if the viscosity of the cold is too high.
- The owner's manual contains the recommended viscosity values for your car. If there is only one number, as in older cars, your car uses “single-weight” oil.
Step 3. Check the owner's manual for the certification your oil requires
This will help ensure the car remains healthy and under warranty. Each engine oil has several different certifications, from the starburst API to the ILSAC recommended guidelines. Make sure any oil you use meets the manufacturer's standards.
Some certifications change with more modern times. The current name for API is SL, although previously it was SJ and SI. Again, refer to your car's manual
Step 4. Use synthetic oil for luxury cars or in extreme conditions
Although more effective, synthetic oils are also more expensive than natural oils.
However, blended oils are perfectly acceptable, so you don't have to spend money on pure synthetic oil if you find it too expensive
Step 5. Do not change the oil to the “multi-weight” type on older cars
If your car is fine using “single weight” oil (which has one viscosity grade), there is no need to change it now. This can cause the mud and dust that has accumulated in the engine to escape and cause problems. Stick to the oil your car uses and needs – changing to a good one will cause further problems later.
Consider changing to a heavier type (40 instead of 30) for the summer months, when things get hotter, rather than switching to a “multi-weight” oil like 20W-40W
Method 3 of 3: Adding Oil
Step 1. Add oil to the car when the oil line on the dipstick is near the minimum line
You should add oil immediately if the level is at or below the level it should be to prevent damage to the car. However, adding oil to your car does not mean changing it regularly.
Always check the owner's manual for how often you need to change your oil – it could be as often as every 5,000 km or as little as every 32,000 km. Most experts recommend that the oil be changed every 8,000 km
Step 2. Buy the right oil for your car
Check the owner's manual to find out which oil is right for your car, or ask a repair shop. Don't change the recommended oil unless you have a very good reason – it won't make your car perform better unless it's specifically made for that oil.
Step 3. Open the hood
You need to pull a lever or press a button near the driver's seat to open the hood. Return to the front of the car and trace the gap between the hood and body by hand until you find a small lever, usually in the middle of the hood. Push inward to fully open the hood and reveal the engine.
Step 4. Locate the hole to fill the oil
This hole is almost always labeled oil with a small oil can picture on it. If you have trouble, check the owner's manual, although it can usually be found near the front of the car near the engine and dipstick. Open the lid and keep it safe.
Step 5. Check the dipstick to determine how much oil to add
Usually the difference between the bottom and top of the stick is 950 ml, so you can use that to figure out how much oil you want to add. If it is half filled, for example, you will need to add 475 ml of oil. However, it is recommended that you add oil gradually every 250 ml to prevent overfilling it, as it can cause serious engine problems.
Step 6. Slowly add oil into the tank, checking every few times
Add oil for 2-3 seconds, wait a minute, then check the dipstick. Clean when you're done, add more oil, and check again. You want the oil level to be near the top mark on the dipstick, so add it as close to that mark as possible without causing the oil to overflow.
The funnel will make it easier to add oil without spilling it onto the engine
Step 7. Close the oil filler hole
You should not need to add more than 950 ml of oil frequently. Otherwise, there may be a more serious problem with the engine, and you should check the oil again after a week to check for leaks. Instead, your machine should be good enough to work. Remember to change your oil when it gets dirty or after 8,000 km.
