subject: Checking Engine Oil Is Crucial [print this page] Most people who are first time car owners look at their vehicle as if it is a complex, alien life form. Diagnosing issues is little more than wishful thinking, and maintenance can seem out of the question. But there are a few things that every car owner should know how to do. The first are obvious; fill up your tank with gas and check the PSI level of your tires. One thing most car owners overlook, though, is checking engine oil to ensure that it is at the proper level. Luckily enough, this procedure is extremely easy, and if you weren't taught how to do it in Driver's Education classes, it is very simple to learn.
Fluid Checks
Some fluid checks require a professional to perform. Engine oil may require a trained professional to change, as there are many steps involved, but checking your oil is something that most every car owner learns how to do. The first step is making sure your vehicle is parked on level ground. This allows the oil to settle and enables you to get a better reading. Your car should have been running no earlier than an hour prior to your engine oil check. This allows the engine and the oil itself to cool, and will prevent any possible injuries that may occur from hot fluids. Next, locate your vehicle's oil dipstick. This should be stationed somewhere in the engine itself. Check your vehicle's user manual for the exact location instead of digging around, as you don't want to upset anything in your engine by mistake. When you've located your dipstick, it is time to perform the oil check.
Performing the Oil Check and Checking Engine Oil Quality
Look at your oil dipstick. It should have two lines on it--one for a low reading, one for a full reading. Slowly dip the dipstick in to your engine oil. Wait a short moment with the dipstick inserted to allow the oil to adhere. Then pull out the dipstick. A good reading would be from the middle of the full and empty lines or higher. If your reading was lower, you will have to top off the oil. Before you do so, though, look at the color of your engine oil. If the oil color is caramel in hue, you're good to go. Top off the oil by slowly pouring it in and, at intervals, checking with your oil dipstick until the oil reading comes up as full. However, if the oil is a dark black or a deep brown, it means your oil is too old and has begun to burn. This means you will need to get an oil change performed on your car.
Oil Changes
While an oil check is a very rudimentary procedure, and is done by most every car owner in America, oil changes are a different story. Oil changes require the taking apart of certain components in your vehicle. This means the procedure is best left to those with full knowledge of the specific make and model. If your engine oil reading came back a dark, burnt color, contact a local auto mechanic and schedule to have your oil changed as soon as possible.
