LANGUAGE & CURRENCY
Tips & Tutorials
When , where, and how to check your oil
July 21, 2021
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Timing
When to check the oil
Check the Oil at the Right Time
Always check the oil when the car is cold, for example when it has not been started for a night. When the vehicle is hot, oil can splash and the dipstick reading may be inaccurate.
The correct time is after the engine is turned off and the vehicle has stood for 15 minutes. Then you can check the dipstick. If you need to check often, you can also check it in the morning before starting the vehicle, because the oil level is accurate at that time as well.
Parking position
Where to check the oil
Park on a Level Surface
You do not want to stop on a ramp to check your oil. When checking the oil dipstick, make sure that all four car wheels are parked at the same level. In other words, there should not be any front-to-rear tilt.
Once the body is tilted, the oil level in the oil pan changes, and the measurement will not be accurate. A simple way to judge whether the car is parked properly is to let it idle without pulling the handbrake. If the car can stop and not move, it is basically horizontal. Left and right tilt should also be avoided as much as possible.
Dipstick reading
Teach you to read the oil dipstick
Understand the Dipstick Markings
The function of the dipstick is to measure the height of the static oil level, reflecting whether the engine oil stock is within a reasonable range.
Conventional dipsticks have clear upper and lower limits. Make sure the detected oil level is between the upper and lower levels. It is best if the oil level is in the middle.
How-to steps
Proper steps for checking the oil
Four Steps to Check Engine Oil
- Find the dipstick handle.Find the dipstick handle in the engine compartment and prepare a paper towel or rag.
- Wipe the dipstick clean.Pull out the dipstick and use the paper towel or rag to wipe off the oil stuck to the dipstick head completely. At this time, you can see where the dipstick scale is located, usually with MIN and MAX scales.
- Insert and pull it out again.Insert the clean dipstick back in, insert it to the bottom, and then pull it out again. This time the oil stuck to the end of the dipstick can be used for observation.
- Observe the highest oil point.By observing the oil stuck on the dipstick, you can know where the highest point of oil in the engine is. For example, if the oil level position is in the middle of MIN and MAX, it is the ideal position and proves that the amount of oil in the engine is appropriate.
