The Importance of Checking Engine Oil

Ok, you’ve passed your driving test and bought your first car. Now there is the maintenance of the vehicle. In between car services, it is essential that you conduct basic checks on your vehicle regularly. One of the most important checks you can carry out is for oil. This is because it is vital that you top it up whenever necessary to avoid damage your vehicles parts, which may be incredibly expensive to repair or replace. Oil is required to lubricate, cool, and protect the moving parts of the engine. It prevents the engine from overheating and eventually leading to a breakdown.

Oil is used as a Lubricate

In more depth, oil is used as a lubricate to reduce the levels of friction between moving parts. As the level decreases, the oil that is left becomes dirtier and less useful rapidly. Therefore, your engine is forced to work harder, decreasing the efficiency of the engine and increasing wear. All of this could be avoided with regular checks at least once a month, preferably more.

Furthermore, the process of checking your car oil level is now a potential “show me tell me questions” in the new driving test. Therefore, ensure that you’re comfortable with the procedure in the event the examiner asks you to perform it before the test.

The Process of Checking Engine Oil

To start, park your car on level ground. It’s best to check your vehicle manufacturers handbook to see when best to check it, as some will advice checking when the engine is warm, others when cold.
Open your bonnet and find the oil dip stick, this is universal across all cars, with the exception of a few newer models. Check your vehicle handbook for reference on its location. If your vehicle doesn’t have one, it’s likely that it can be checked digitally through the onboard computer found on the dashboard.
Pull the dip stick all the way out and wipe it clean with tissue in order to remove any excess oil and give an accurate reading.
The dip stick should be marked with two notches near the bottom. These are used to identify the minimum and maximum oil levels.
Now reinsert the dipstick back into the engine, and slowly pull it back out again to check the oil level.
The oil residue now should be between the two minimum and maximum notches previous identified
If it’s below the minimum notch, you’ll need to purchase oil to put into your car to top it up back to regular levels.

Topping up The Engine Oil

If you’ve discovered that your vehicle’s oil needs topping up, check your vehicle handbook. As it should have specified the grade of oil to use, it’s advisable to follow this to increase the lifespan of your engine. Look for a rubber cap with oil can symbol on it. Having located it, twist the cap open. Double check that you’re using the correct type of oil for your vehicle.

A funnel may help with this process, start by slowly pouring the oil in. Overfilling can be just as bad for your vehicle as not having enough, so pour as slow as possible. You shouldn’t check the level with the dip stick immediately, as it’ll take time for the oil to level out. Once you’ve finished and hit the maximum level, replace the oil cap and close the bonnet.

Common mistakes

Many drivers make the mistake of the oil symbol lighting up on their dashboard meaning low oil levels. However, it actually means that there’s a problem with your vehicle’s engine. It’s important that you get this checked as soon as possible to avoid you breaking down or more serious damage occurring as a result of it. Improve your knowledge by visiting the DTC Driving Test Service Youtube Channel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, checking your oil regularly is something that should be on all drivers checklists. Especially before long journeys. It’s far better to check regularly and fix the problem, then delay and have to deal with the aftermath of broken engine parts as these are exponentially more expensive than a bottle of oil.