Checking your car’s engine oil on a regular basis is vital to keep your engine running in good condition, making it last longer, run better and to help improve fuel efficiency. Before checking your vehicle’s engine oil, it is important to check the owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure you have the right type of oil. It is also important to check the owner’s manual as some new cars have electronic oil monitors, instead of the manual traditional dipsticks. Checking the engine oil is an easy maintenance task that could save you money in the long run.
WHAT DOES ENGINE OIL DO?
We have gone into extensive detail on this in a previous blog about engine oil but here are the basics:
Engine oil has a number of vital purposes. The internal engine moving parts need oil to keep the engine running smoothly. If there is not enough oil in the engine it can result in friction. Friction can damage parts of the engine and cause them to wear more quickly, making the engine less efficient and more likely to break down. Oil helps to lubricate engine parts, ensuring that the overall engine is running smoothly.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I NEED TO CHANGE MY OIL?
When checking the engine oil, if it smells odd or smells of gasoline and if the colour of the oil is black and gritty it is important you get your oil changed. If you have to keep regularly topping up your engine oil, and the level keeps dropping quickly or if your engine is louder than usual then your oil is probably too old and needs to be changed.
QUENTIN WILLSON EXPLAINS AND DEMONSTRATES HOW TO CHECK YOUR CAR’S ENGINE OIL
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I NEED TO CHANGE MY OIL?
When checking the engine oil, if it smells odd or smells of gasoline and if the colour of the oil is black and gritty it is important you get your oil changed. If you have to keep regularly topping up your engine oil, and the level keeps dropping quickly or if your engine is louder than usual then your oil is probably too old and needs to be changed.