As summer approaches and the open road awaits, you should learn how to check and fill the oil that keeps your vehicle in optimal running condition. This will not only prevent potential damage to your vehicle but also help to minimize the chance of a breakdown occurring far away from home.
Checking your oil
Oil is essential for lubricating your engine. If the oil level runs low, friction will wear away engine components, and if the level drops low enough, engine failure will occur.
Engine oil level can be determined by examining the dipstick, which is a narrow metal strip that is mounted inside a long tube that protrudes from the oil reservoir. The dipstick has two indicator lines, which read "low" and "full". If the oil level reaches any point between these two lines, the level is sufficient.
The oil level must be checked on level ground before the vehicle has been started and the oil has become heated because oil will expand after heating, and the actual level of oil may be less than indicated. You can remove the dipstick by pulling it out by a circular ring at its end. You must first wipe away any oil the dipstick and reinsert it to obtain an accurate reading of the oil level.
If the oil level is at the "low" level on the stick, add one quart of the type of oil that is recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
Adding oil
You can add oil by removing the cap at the top of the engine. You will turn the cap in a counterclockwise direction to remove it.
It's a good idea to purchase and use a funnel to add automotive fluids, especially in windy conditions. Spilled oil will burn away from your engine eventually, but you will experience an unpleasant smell of motor oil until this occurs.
After adding one quart of oil, check the level on the dipstick. It should indicate a level at some point between "low" and "full". If the original reading indicated at the oil level was less than the "low" level on the dipstick, you may need to add more than a single quart of oil to reach an acceptable level.
However, you cannot add an unlimited amount of oil. Too much oil in the system will cause gaskets and seals to rupture as the oil expands after being heated. After the first quart is added, you must add additional oil in small increments, checking the dipstick periodically, to ensure that you don't exceed the "full" level.
If your vehicle's oil level is very low, you should have the vehicle checked before embarking on a long trip. Auto repair shops can determine the source of the oil loss and give an estimate of the cost to fix it. This cost will definitely be less that the price of replacing the engine, and the inconvenience of being stranded far away from home if the engine fails. Companies like Bonita Point Auto Care 76 may be able to help meet your needs in this area.
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