How To Check Oil

To ensure optimum vehicle performance and to avoid any problems, there is a lot of regular checking that needs to be done. And one of the things that need to be checked is the oil. Cars can be overly sensitive sometimes, so the right knowledge about regular check-ups is definitely needed if you are a car owner. Just as almost every part of your car can be quite tricky, the same can be expected when it comes to checking the oil. For this reason, before checking the oil of your car, make sure that you know how to. This will help save you a lot of time, effort, and guessing.

The first step in knowing how to check your oil properly is to know when the best time to do it is. You need to check the oil when your car engine is warm. This is very important to get a reliable reading, which are vulnerable to external factors such as outside temperature. Take note that oil reacts differently to cold and warm temperature. When it’s hot, oil tends to expand, and the opposite happens when it is cold. This will lend you important insight when you check your oil.

When you’ve determined that it is the best time to check oil, the next step is to know how to do it. The first step is to park your car on a flat surface. Next, make sure that the engine is turned off before you do anything. Then, under the dashboard, you will find a lever to release the hood. Pull it, then walk to the front of your car. Look for the latch located under the hood. Squeeze this latch to open the hood.

Then, look for the dipstick. The dipstick is a long piece of metal with a loop at one end. If you are not certain where it is located, look for the spark plugs. The dipstick won’t be far from it. Using the end loop, pull the dipstick out. Wipe the oil off the dipstick using a rag. Once the dipstick is clean, put it back. Make sure that it goes all the way in, before pulling it back.

At this point, you are ready to make an evaluation. Examine the oil on the dipstick. If you see that it is below the “full” line, this means that you need to add some oil. Most dipsticks, however, simply have two lines instead of a “full” marking. When your dipstick is like this, your oil level should be halfway between the lines.

Now, to add oil, you need to use a funnel. The right amount of oil to be added should be less than a quarter of a quart. First, unscrew the cap off the oil filler. This is about three inches, and is usually located on top of your engine. After you add some oil, you still need to recheck the oil level using the dipstick by repeating the steps above. If you find the need to do so, based on the oil level after adding oil for the first time, you can still add more. Just remember to gauge the oil level carefully with the use of the dipstick. Take note that it is quite easy to add oil if necessary, but it will be very difficult to remove some if you add a lot more than is needed.

After you’ve come up with the correct amount of oil after carefully checking and adding, simply put the cap of the oil filler back on. Make sure that it is tightly secured. After you’ve successfully checked your oil, the only thing you need to worry about is when to next check it. The oil level should be checked no less than every one thousand miles. When you find the need to check the oil again, simply repeat the steps above. You will certainly be an expert in no time.