Check your engine oil regularly, as driving with very low oil level can cause engine problems. Remember – taking the time to do some basic maintenance tests on your vehicle will reduce your driving costs in the long run.
Here are a few handy tips on how to change a car’s engine oil:
- Park your vehicle on a level ground and apply the parking brake.
- Stop the engine and open the hood. Wait for a minute or two to let the engine oil drain into the oil pan, otherwise known as the sump.
- Locate and pull out the engine oil dipstick. If you are not sure where it is located, just check your owner’s manual.
- Wipe the dipstick off with a cloth and then insert it back fully into the dipstick tube. Pull it out again and check the oil level.
- The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks at the bottom of the dipstick and you should also check the oil condition. If it appears too black, it is definitely time to change it. If it is brown, but still clean and transparent, it is OK.
- If the oil looks clean but the level is low, you can just top it up – but make sure you use the correct specification.
How to top up engine oil:
- Add a little amount of oil into the oil filler neck. Wait for a minute to let oil flow into the oil pan. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If it’s still low, add some more but do not overfill it.
- Don’t forget to install the dipstick and refit the oil filler cap when you’re finished.
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