More car maintenance and repair tips from Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports Consumer Reports. First, check the owner's manual and follow the automaker's recommendations. Some newer cars have electronic oil monitors and don't have traditional dipsticks for manual inspection. With some cars, the automaker recommends that the oil be checked after the engine has been warmed up.
Pull the dipstick out from the engine and wipe any oil off from its end. Then insert the dipstick back into its tube and push it all the way back in. Pull it back out, and this time look at both sides of the dipstick to see where the oil is on the end. Every dipstick has some way of indicating the proper oil level, whether it be two pinholes, the letters L and H low and high , the words MIN and MAX, or simply an area of crosshatching. It should appear brown or black.
But if it has a light, milky appearance, this could mean coolant is leaking into the engine. Look closely for any metal particles, too, as this could mean there is internal engine damage.
If you see either of these conditions, get the car to a mechanic for further diagnosis. If you suspect a coolant leak, have the car towed. It will usually have a designation such as 0W or 5W You can buy it by the quart at any service station or auto-parts store, as well as in many supermarkets and discount retailers.
To add oil, remove the oil filler cap, usually located on top of the engine. Good job, keep driving! Change your oil soon. It's time for an oil change. The oil level need to be topped up.
In many cars, the oil grade is marked on the oil filler cap. Adding engine oil. Read Next: How often should you change the oil in your car? How often does a car need a tune-up? When does a car battery need to be replaced?
Timing belt: when should it be replaced? When do the control arms need to be replaced? Why does the steering wheel shake when braking at high speed? How to spend less money on car repairs - insider tips.
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When does the timing belt need to be replaced? When does the timing chain need to be replaced? When to change your automatic transmission fluid? All rights reserved. Shut the engine off and set the handbrake. Once you locate and remove the dipstick, clean it with your rag and slide it back in. Make sure that the dipstick is inserted all the way back in. Next, remove the dipstick once more. Look at the end of the dipstick. The oil will appear amber in color.
It should be fairly easy to discern the oil level by looking at the dipstick. The low level of oil, as in the picture, will lead to serious engine damage Normal Oil Level If the dipstick indicates that the oil level is normal, reinsert it.
If the dipstick indicates that the oil level is low, touch the end of the dipstick with two fingers and feel of the texture of the oil. If the oil is clean, you can add new oil using a funnel. If the oil is gritty, it is necessary to have your oil changed as soon as possible.
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