Checking the engine oil – The first step to keep your car fit

For every car owner, checking the engine oil should rather become a regular habit. Keep up the schedule and top up the engine oil as and when you see it drop from the prescribed level. The crucial function of the engine oil is to cool and lubricate your engine. Low level of engine oil will invariably mean hurting and injuring your engine with every turn of the car’s wheel.

While checking the engine oil level, always park your car on a level surface. Before leaving your car, never forget to set the parking brake. After stopping the engine, wait for a minute or two for the engine oil to drain down completely into the oil pan. Pull out the dip stick. If you do not know where it is located, your car owner’s manual will let you know this. Most dipsticks are made with bright handle with the label “engine oil” to mark them off clearly. Wipe off the dipstick nicely and insert it into the engine oil chamber fully. Now pull it out and check the oil level.

Always the oil level should be in between ‘low and ‘full’ marks. Besides checking the level, you should also ensure whether the oil is clear. If it is dirty, then it is time for you to replace it after completely draining the old one out.  Oil that is too black suggests that it is time to change. Brown, but clear and transparent oil can run for some more time.  Coffee color engine oil will sometimes mean the mixing of coolant and engine oil. This will mean you will have to attend to some internal engine problem.

Always make use of the type of oil that is recommended by your car owner’s manual. To top up the engine oil, pour some oil into the neck of the oil filler. Wait for one or two minutes for the oil to pour down completely. Dip the stick and check the oil level. Once you are done, replace the engine oil cap install back the dipstick and close the cap of the oil filler.

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About the author:

Vivek is a mechanical engineer and has more than 7 years of experience as a writer. He blogs about various topics; entrepreneurship being one. His interests range from poetry, music to photography and travel. He can be reached at sdkrdk@gmail.com