All of us car owners have gone through being a newbie driver. And if we were asked what is the very first car repair or maintenance job that we have ever learned, these answers will win the Top 2 spots: (1) changing the tyres and (2) checking the car oil level.
While all the parts in our car each have their vital roles, maybe the reason why these two are the very first parts you’d learn to deal with is because by always keeping these 2 in check, your car would be able to perform well and last longer.
Think of the engine oil as your car’s blood. Just like us humans, without a sufficient amount of it (in a pure and clean condition that is), our cars would simply have a hard time living, so to speak. Simply put, you will have to check your car’s engine oil at least once a month so you are assured that it’s not contaminated and it’s in the proper level.
Rapid Car Removal is a well-trusted cash for cars company that is also among Melbourne’s leading car buyers. Our team of expert auto mechanics, car wreckers and vehicle recyclers has actually come up with a step-by-step guide so we could help the newbie car owners and drivers out there who still don’t know how to check the engine oil.
Checking your car oil is easy and you won’t need specialised tools nor keen mechanical skills to be able to do it properly. Just follow these simple steps and you’re good to go:
(1) Check your manual.
Not all cars are the same, especially now when automobiles are getting more and more modern or electronic. Check if your car has a traditional oil dipstick. If yes, then you can proceed with the other steps. But if your car already has an electronic oil monitor, then you don’t need to bother yourself with this anymore.
(2) Prep your car engine for checking.
By prep, we mean turning off your car’s engine and letting it cool down before you touch anything under the hood. But before that, also make sure that your car is parked on level ground so the results you’ll get is accurate. Pop up your hood and wait until the engine is cool enough.
(3) Clean the dipstick.
Locate where the dipstick is. If your car has an in-line engine (as with most rear-drive vehicles), the dipstick might be somewhere in the middle. But if you have a traverse engine, the dipstick should be somewhere near the front. Remove the oil dipstick from the pipe and wipe it clean with a paper towel or clean rag.
(4) Put the clean dipstick back inside.
Insert the dipstick back into the pipe. Make sure that it is all the way in. If it’s not, or if it gets stuck on its way back in, just try to turn it around. If it now looks like exactly how it was when you haven’t removed it yet, then it’s in the proper position.
(5) Remove and check the oil.
Pull the dipstick out again and see which part of the stick does the oil film has reached. Some sticks have labels like add-full, L-H, or min-max. If the streak lies between the two labels, then your engine oil level is fine. But if it’s below the add, L, or min label, then that means you have to top it up.
Before you put the dipstick back again, make sure that you also check the color of the oil. It should be light golden brown, brown, or black. If it’s too creamy light or in any color besides that, then you might just have a serious problem. You may also want to check if it’s clean. Try rub a little oil with your thumb and your index finger. If it leaves some smudge or if it has some other particles, then you must head to your mechanic for an oil change.
(6) Put the dipstick back.
After everything’s okay with the oil level and quality, just make sure that the dipstick is back into the pipe in its proper position. Close the hood back. And you’re done!
Remember, if your oil is clean and good enough but it’s in below the minimum level, then all you need to do is put a little more oil in the engine. But if you see that the quality of your engine oil is a little suspicious, regardless of its level, have it checked by a professional to be sure if you just need an oil change or there’s something more serious that needs to be done.
Should your car struggle from issues that are simply too many that it’s no longer worthy of repairing, then consider handing it over to us instead of getting a car selling service. We’ll not only remove your old and junk car for free, but we’ll even pay you top cash for your car regardless of its condition.