Checking your car's oil level is essential if you want to make sure your vehicle lives for a long time. It is one of the simplest and most immediate maintenance operations that can be carried out on a vehicle, and it is especially important before making long journeys in which the engine will have to undergo considerable strain. By reading the following article you will find out which indicators to check and you will learn how to diagnose engine oil related problems in your car and then deal with them if necessary.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Find the Asticella
Step 1. Check the oil level when cold
Mobil1 and other manufacturers recommend checking the oil level before using the vehicle when the oil is still cold. By doing this, the oil will still be all in the sump, and not in the engine as when the vehicle is running. If you check the oil level immediately after driving the vehicle, it will appear lower than the real thing, and you will end up refilling too much. If you still decide to check the oil level immediately after driving the vehicle, wait 5-10 minutes to make sure it has dropped back into the sump.
- In very cold climates, however, it is advisable to drive the car for a while before checking the oil level, in order to make it more fluid and less viscous. Let the engine run for a few minutes, then let it cool down for five minutes before checking.
- There are conflicting opinions on the temperature at which to check the oil level. Some manufacturers, in fact, recommend checking it in hot oil, and it's okay to do so, as long as you're looking at the right cleat on the bar. By checking the oil gauge in the cockpit, when the oil is cold it will appear that there is "less", but things will stabilize as soon as the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature.
- Synthetic oil expands more than "normal" oil when it is hot, so if you use one of this type it is recommended that you check it when it is cold. Talk to your trusted mechanic if you have any doubts.
Step 2. Park your car on level ground
To get an accurate reading, you will need to make sure that the oil has not holed up all the way to one side of the pan, since in such a situation the level reading would not be correct. For this reason, look for a level surface to park your car on before checking the oil level.
Step 3. Open the hood
Usually, there will be a lever with the design of a raised hood near the pedal zone. You will need to press or pull it, depending on the vehicle model. At that point you will have to get out of the car and look for another lever located under the front part of the hood, which will now be slightly raised; usually the lever is located in the central part, but sometimes it could be slightly off-center. Operate it, then lift the hood to examine the engine.
In some cars the hood will remain raised autonomously, while in others you will need to use an arm which is usually located on the front or side of the engine compartment. Lift the arm up and lock it in place (there will be a slot in the hood for you to snap it into), then you can leave the hood without fear of it falling
Step 4. Locate the rod
In most cars, the oil dipstick will have a red, yellow or orange cap, circular or rectangular in shape, and will exit directly from the engine block, on either side. The oil rods are usually positioned towards the passenger side or near the front of the car, and most often they will be inserted into a guide about the width of a pencil.
- In most cars, the bar will be marked with a symbol that looks like an old oil lamp, the same as the one that contained the genius in the famous film. Once the dipstick is located, you will be ready to remove it and check the oil level.
- Most vehicles with an automatic transmission will have two rods under the hood, one for the engine oil and one for the transmission oil. The shift rods are usually located at the rear of the engine compartment, or towards the driver's side, and will usually be inserted into a slightly larger diameter tube than where the engine oil rods are inserted. Gear oil will often be pink or red in color. Never confuse the two rods, and never top up engine oil in the gearbox, it would be a mistake that you would pay dearly for.
Step 5. Get some paper towels or an old rag
When checking the oil level, it is important to have some paper towels or cloths on hand that you can use to clean the dipstick and check the consistency of the oil. It is advisable to use absorbent paper sheets as, being white, they will also allow you to understand what the color of the oil is. They are also a great way to keep your hands clean.
Part 2 of 3: Check the Oil Level
Step 1. Remove the rod
Most of the sticks are about 30 cm long, and you will need to examine the tip. Slowly pull the rod out, holding a sheet of absorbent paper around where it was inserted, to remove the oil from the edges of the rod and prevent it from jumping out.
You shouldn't need to pull it out hard or twist it, but it may take a little effort to free it from its current position. Once the cap is removed, it should come off quite easily. If you feel resistance, don't force it
Step 2. Examine the color and quality of the oil
The color and texture of the oil can let you know its age and indicate any other engine problems you may need to take care of. As soon as you remove the dipstick, you will be able to notice the quality of the oil in your engine. Engine oil in good condition will have a yellowish-green appearance on blotting paper sheets, if not very dark. Clean the dipstick and examine the oil residue on the absorbent paper.
- The color of the oil will change from amber or golden to brown and black as particulate matter from the engine ends up in it. Metal filings and particulate matter will slowly scratch the inner walls of the engine cylinders over time, which is why the oil needs to be changed approximately every 5000km (consult your car manual to find out at what intervals to change the oil).
- Look closely at the color. Does it look brackish or lumpy? Is it black or very dark? If so, your oil needs to be replaced. Take the car to the mechanic or replace it yourself.
Step 3. Clean the dipstick and insert it back into the hole
The first time you take out the dipstick, you won't be able to tell anything about the amount of oil, since it will be all dirty. Once the dipstick is removed, after examining the color in the oil, clean it and reinsert it into the hole, then pull it out again to be able to read the oil level.
Step 4. Check the oil level
There should be two notches on the tip of most of the rods: one indicates the maximum level that the oil in the pair can reach, the other the minimum level. The minimum mark should be close to the tip of the rod, and the maximum mark should be about 2-3 cm higher. Taking a car with the right amount of oil and making a cold level reading, the oil should be about halfway between the two marks.
- In general, the idle mark should be very close to the tip of the dipstick. If the oil level is between the tip of the dipstick and the low level mark, you will need to add more engine oil.
- The oil level should never be higher than the maximum level mark, although it will be very close to it in case you decide to check it hot. If it is, you may need to remove some oil from your car.
Part 3 of 3: Add More Oil
Step 1. Consult your car manual
Before you try to add oil, you will need to find out what kind of oil your car needs. It is important to always check, because not all cars use the same type of oil, which can also vary between the same models but from different years. It is not recommended to mix oils of different grades, so check the manual carefully or consult a mechanic before adding more oil to your car.
Alternatively, to find out what kind of oil your car needs, you can talk to an auto parts shop assistant. Knowing the make and model of your car, they will be able to check and tell you, or you can find out for yourself by consulting the tables in their section reserved for car oil
Step 2. Locate your engine's oil filler cap
These caps are usually marked with the word "Oil Fill" and sometimes also with the grade of engine oil to be used. If you read "5w30", for example, you will know that you will need to use that type of oil. Remove the cap, clean everything with paper towels or a rag and insert a clean funnel into the mouth.
You will have to use a funnel to top up the engine oil, or you risk spilling it on the engine block; in that case it would burn from the heat, creating a strong odor or even more serious problems
Step 3. Add the right amount of oil in small steps
It is important to allow time for the newly added oil to reach the oil pan. The funnel will fill quickly, but the oil will drain slowly. Avoid overfilling the funnel.
If you spill some oil in the engine compartment, don't worry. Spilled oil is not that dangerous, although it will produce a bad smell and possibly even smoke. Try to remove it as best you can with a rag or cloth
Step 4. Check the oil level again
Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. Repeat the process until the level is correct. Clean the dipstick after each reading. When finished, double check that the dipstick has been reinserted correctly and that the refill cap has been tightened. Also double check anything else you have had to loosen or move throughout the process, remove all rags, paper towels, and oil containers. Lower the hood arm and close it.
Advice
- Use a cloth or paper towel to dry the stick.
- Check the oil level every time you refuel.
- It is very important to check the oil level regularly in order to avoid engine damage.
