Oil is crucial to the smooth running of your vehicle; it lubricates the engine and prevents damage and overheating. Running low on oil is a mistake that plenty of drivers make, but it could be costly. Checking your engine’s oil levels is one of the most important, and simplest, car maintenance jobs to help keep your vehicle healthy and safe. Here’s what you need to know about checking your oil.
Checking Your Oil
- Check your oil at least once a year or every 9,000 miles and before a big journey.
- You need to check your oil when the engine is cool, and when you are parked on even ground. If your vehicle is parked on a hill, you will get a false reading.
- Most vehicles have a dipstick, although some new cars have electronic oil meters. Open your bonnet and find the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a rag; you will see two lines, a maximum and minimum line.
- Replace the dipstick, leave it for a few seconds, and pull it back out again to see where the oil line is. It should be between the two lines.
- If the oil line is halfway between the lines, your oil level is fine. If it is less than halfway, you can top up the oil, ensuring that it doesn’t go above the halfway mark. If it is below the minimum mark, you need to add oil.
Adding Oil
- Make sure you have the right oil for your vehicle.
- Find the oil cap – usually it will have a picture of an oil can on it.
- Remove the cap and add a little bit of oil at a time, using your dipstick to check the levels as you go. Be careful not to overfill your vehicle with oil.
- Once the level is between the two lines, replace the oil cap, clear up any spilled oil, and close the bonnet.
Checking your oil is quick and easy and could prevent costly damage to your engine. Your oil should be checked and changed with your MOT test, but if you notice that your oil levels keep dropping, book your car in with a local mechanic; there may be an issue.
Want to know more? Follow Trust A Garage on Twitter or Facebook for more helpful tips and advice.