How to Check Your Car?s Oil Level
Periodically, you should check your car's oil level, especially if you drive an older vehicle that leaks or burns a bit of oil. Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and you want to make sure your car always has enough of it circulating through the system. Additionally, you want to make sure the oil is clean. When checking your car's oil level, you can also see if it's time for an oil change.
Before checking the oil, take your car for a short drive, to warm and circulate the oil. Upon returning, park the car for a few minutes to let the oil settle and then open the hood, making sure to secure it with the prop-rod if it isn't self-supported.
With a clean rag handy, you'll need to find what is called the dipstick. The dipstick is what dips into the oil reservoir and allows you to determine the level of your oil.
The dipstick is usually located near the front of the engine. Look for a ring-type handle. In modern cars, this handle is usually brightly colored, and may even have the word "OIL" stamped on it.
Once you've located the dipstick, pull it out and wipe the end of it clean with the rag. Next, re-insert the dipstick into the engine, making sure to push it all the way in. Remove it again, and examine the end of the dipstick. The oil residue should reveal your oil level against acceptable range markings on the dipstick itself. If your oil level is lower than the acceptable range, you will need to add oil.
Also, your car engine's oil should be a clear amber color. If it is not, the oil is dirty and needs to be changed. Do not add oil if you're going to change the oil. But if you're planning to drive the car for another day or more, you should add more oil to the engine.
It is recommended that you add oil no more than a quart at a time, because you do not want to overfill your oil reservoir. Locate the oil cap on your engine, usually marked with the word "OIL" or a symbol representing oil, and often color-coded with the dipstick handle. When adding oil, be sure to restart the engine and circulate the oil each time, and don't forget to replace the oil cap before starting the engine.
Before checking the oil, take your car for a short drive, to warm and circulate the oil. Upon returning, park the car for a few minutes to let the oil settle and then open the hood, making sure to secure it with the prop-rod if it isn't self-supported.
With a clean rag handy, you'll need to find what is called the dipstick. The dipstick is what dips into the oil reservoir and allows you to determine the level of your oil.
The dipstick is usually located near the front of the engine. Look for a ring-type handle. In modern cars, this handle is usually brightly colored, and may even have the word "OIL" stamped on it.
Once you've located the dipstick, pull it out and wipe the end of it clean with the rag. Next, re-insert the dipstick into the engine, making sure to push it all the way in. Remove it again, and examine the end of the dipstick. The oil residue should reveal your oil level against acceptable range markings on the dipstick itself. If your oil level is lower than the acceptable range, you will need to add oil.
Also, your car engine's oil should be a clear amber color. If it is not, the oil is dirty and needs to be changed. Do not add oil if you're going to change the oil. But if you're planning to drive the car for another day or more, you should add more oil to the engine.
It is recommended that you add oil no more than a quart at a time, because you do not want to overfill your oil reservoir. Locate the oil cap on your engine, usually marked with the word "OIL" or a symbol representing oil, and often color-coded with the dipstick handle. When adding oil, be sure to restart the engine and circulate the oil each time, and don't forget to replace the oil cap before starting the engine.
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