The main unit of any vehicle is its internal combustion engine (ICE), gasoline or diesel. How well it performs will determine the reliability of your vehicle while traveling. And the good work of the power plant is ensured by the presence of high-quality motor lubricant in the required volume. Every motorist must know how to add oil to the engine if its level is below the minimum required.

Why is engine oil so necessary for an engine?

The lubricating composition performs several important functions, without which the motor will not work. It should be borne in mind that the engine lubrication is under very heavy loads. Temperature drops inside the internal combustion engine sometimes reach several hundred degrees. It should be borne in mind that such conditions should not affect the basic functional properties of the lubricant mixture. What benefits does engine oil bring to the engine?

Lubrication has many power-saving functions. That is why it is necessary to periodically top up a certain amount of oil in the engine so that its level is never below the minimum.

The consequences of excess and lack

The rule says that the amount of oil when the engine is hot should be at the middle level of the dipstick, between the min and max marks. How to measure it correctly? You need to warm up the engine to operating temperature by making a short trip. Then stop the car on level ground, turn off the engine and wait 15–20 minutes until the oil composition drains into the crankcase. After that, open the hood, remove the dipstick and wipe it dry with a cloth. Then it is inserted again, and the level is measured, which is already clearly visible at the edge of the oil strip. If this edge is located between the min and max marks, you do not need to worry, continuing to operate the car. But if he goes outside this zone, there can be serious trouble.

Overflow

It seems to many novice motorists that the more lubricant in the motor, the better it works. Some try to fill the liquid exactly up to the max mark and above, believing that "you cannot spoil the porridge with butter." Can oil be topped up to this level? The answer will be unequivocal - no. The first symptom is a deterioration in the cranking of the power unit. The oil mixture has a certain viscosity, and its excess amount further increases the resistance to any movement. Therefore, there is an increased fuel consumption. This is far from the most unpleasant phenomenon. Other consequences begin to show.

The expansion of the oil fluid at high temperatures creates pressure on gaskets, oil seals, and other sealing parts above normal. Gradually they begin to squeeze out, resulting in lubricant flowing. This is especially true of the crankshaft oil seals, to the bearings of which lubrication is supplied under pressure. As a result, the entire engine compartment is polluted, and the oil seals will have to be changed. Other symptoms:

• difficult starting of the engine in frosty weather;
• the formation of an excessive amount of carbon deposits, the appearance of coke inside the cylinder-piston group, the "occurrence" of rings;
• foaming of the composition, the result of which will be oil starvation of engine parts.

As you can see, the consequences of an overflow can be catastrophic.

Underfilling

Lack of sufficient lubricant is also detrimental to the powertrain. Oil starvation of parts occurs. Lubrication either does not come at all, then they work "dry", or comes in completely insufficient quantities, unable to form a high-quality oil film between the contacting surfaces.

Another consequence is the formation of air locks inside the lubrication system, which will run through the channels. The crankshaft will begin to rotate without lubrication, chips will form, which will surely get into the oil. The crankshaft counterweights will not be able to scoop and spray lubricant on the cylinder walls, so the pistons will sooner or later jam. That is why it is necessary to regularly check the level of the lubricant, and then top up if necessary.

How to add lubricant to the inside of the engine

How to add oil to the engine if its level is below the minimum? Let's start with the fact that in the trunk of a car there should always be a liter canister with exactly the same oil as inside the engine.

It is highly undesirable to mix different oil compositions. This can be done only as a last resort, when there is no other way out, then immediately drain the cocktail and fill the motor with a normal fresh composition.

If the engine fluid being poured is heavily consumed for waste - for example, 1 liter per 1000 km of run, you should think about increasing the high-temperature viscosity of the lubricant. Some manufacturers, for example KIA, suggest using a low-viscosity oil composition 0W20 for their new cars. For some time its consumption will be normal, fuel consumption will be minimal. But as the run progresses, the gap between the parts will increase, which will lead to excessive grease burnout. Therefore, it will be necessary to switch to a higher viscosity. For example, an alternative would be a 5W30 viscosity fluid.

It is very easy to add oil to the inside of the motor. Open the hood and locate the grease filler neck. It is usually located above the engine cylinder-piston block. It may have an inscription indicating the desired viscosity of the lubricant mixture - for example, 5W-30. Or such an inscription: Oil Fill. After detection, the neck must be opened by unscrewing the cap. Next, you need to insert a funnel so as not to splash liquid on the engine. It is necessary to add oil in small portions, periodically measuring with a dipstick after each such action. Top up to a level that will be in the middle between the minimum and maximum marks - this is the best indicator.

Many novice drivers are concerned about how to pour oil into a car engine. This seemingly simple event has many pitfalls and it is not as easy to cope with it as it seems. Each engine has its own characteristics, and therefore there are a huge number of nuances that must be taken into account before pouring grease.

Why add oil

High-quality engine operation is impossible without engine oil. This viscous substance has several main functions, providing:

• cleanliness of engine parts;
• ease of cold engine start;
• reliability of operation at the highest possible temperature of parts of the cylinder-piston group;
• heat removal from heated parts;
• lubrication of moving parts;
• neutralization of aggressive and corrosive compounds accumulating in the power unit.

Each of the points is handled by certain additives added to the oils to enhance their performance. Before pouring oil into the engine, it is necessary to determine which type of fluid is right for it. Today there are a large number of motor lubricants, and within the framework of even one line you can find products with different parameters. So, mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic oils are produced. Each of them can be winter, summer or all-season. In addition, car manufacturers may recommend using a specific oil. Since different types of oils cannot be mixed, the first step is to find out which brand of lubricant is poured into the engine. This question should be answered by the employees of the car dealership where the car was purchased, or its previous owner. If the truth is not known, you will have to completely change the oil. You can perform this procedure yourself or contact a service station.

• for a new engine - synthetic oils of SAE class 5W30 or 10W30 (at any time of the year);
• for a used engine, but technically sound - SAE 10W40 in the warm season, 15W40 in winter and 5W40 all-season;
• for an old model with a used engine - SAE 15W40 in summer, 5W40 or 10W40 in the cold season, 5W40 regardless of the season.

It should be remembered that servicing engines of outdated designs does not provide for the use of modern synthetic oils, which is largely due to their increased penetration rate, as a result of which the rate of oil leakage through poorly fitted engine parts increases. Some inexperienced drivers wonder why they often have to add oil to the engine, while professionals approach this issue very responsibly. In some cars, the lubricant burns out very quickly, but not always an increased oil consumption indicates a malfunction of the power unit, just as prolonged use of the fluid does not indicate the absence of problems in the engine. In many cases, fuel consumption depends on the type of engine and its volume. So, for small cars, a consumption of 1 liter per 1000 km is considered large, and for cars with a V6 or V8 power unit - the norm.

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How is the amount of lubricant in the motor determined

Each owner of the "iron horse" can independently determine how much lubricant is in the engine and whether it is required to fill the oil. As a rule, the required amount of oil in the power unit is indicated in the technical documentation for the car. The liquid level is determined with the motor off or 10 minutes after it has completely stopped, or before starting. For the measurement to be correct, the vehicle must be parked on a horizontally level surface.

Oil selection based on performance

A special dipstick for measuring oil is included with each vehicle. As a rule, it is located in the front of the engine and is a thin metal bar with marked divisions. To remove the dipstick, you need to grasp the ring handle and pull it towards you. Then you should wipe the oil dipstick, lower it into the engine until it stops and pull it out again. The amount of lubricant in the motor is determined by the marks. If the oil reaches the upper mark, there is no need to add fluid. If it approaches the bottom, the engine needs lubrication. Experienced experts recommend checking the oil level at least once every 7 days. Each car model requires a certain amount of engine lubricant. So, when preparing the oil for filling, it should be taken into account that domestic cars need about 4 liters of liquid, foreign cars with an engine capacity of up to 2.4 liters - up to 4 liters, and cars with larger engines - over 4 liters. So, the oil level has been checked and you can start adding lubricant to the engine.

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Algorithm for filling oil into the engine

Where to pour the oil? For this, there is a special oil filler neck located above the engine block. It can be recognized by the Oil Fill mark or by the manufacturer's recommended oil type (e.g. 5W40). Remove the cap from the neck, wipe it with a rag and set it aside.

Then a crow should be inserted into the resulting hole and gently pour no more than 1 glass of oil. When the liquid falls into the pan (this will happen after 15-20 minutes), you need to check the oil level with a dipstick. If it is not high enough, the procedure should be repeated. The dipstick must be wiped with a cloth for each measurement. A sufficient amount of lubricant in the motor will be indicated by a level approaching the maximum mark. After that, remove the funnel from the hole, close the neck with a lid and install the dipstick in its place.

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Complete engine oil change

In the case when the type of oil filled into the engine is unknown, a complete fluid change should be made. The main thing here is to do it right. The old one must be drained before refilling with new grease.

First of all, you should choose a place for the procedure. A special pit in the garage looks like an ideal option, but if there is none, a replacement can be made in the field or at a summer cottage. It is not recommended to change the oil with a cold engine - such a substance is too viscous and it will not be possible to completely drain it. To completely free the engine from old grease, you should warm up the engine and carry out the procedure 10 minutes after it is turned off. In order to drain the oil, you will need to put the car on the hand brake and raise it with a jack. In no case should the car roll when a person is under it, therefore, you can secure the hand brake with heavy bars or cinder blocks, supporting the wheels with them. In addition, you will need to prepare:

• an old bowl or basin;
• a bottle of 3 or 5 liters;
• wrench;
• oil filter.

The process of draining the old oil is quite simple: you need to find the engine drain hole on the bottom, put a basin under it and unscrew the plug. Gloves are advisable to prevent hot oil from burning your hands. It takes about 30 minutes for the liquid to drain completely into the bowl. This time can be taken by replacing the oil filter. Over time, it is necessary to tighten the drain plug (this should be done very carefully so that the thread does not curl under force), lower the jack and return the car to a horizontal position. The oil can now be filled. The procedure is similar to that described above.

After that, you need to check how the engine works. To do this, start the car and look at the sensor on the dashboard. If the sensor lights up, but goes out after 5-10 seconds, the oil has got to the right place and is ready to go. Experienced drivers recommend driving a car for several kilometers and checking the lubricant level again (10-15 minutes after stopping the engine). If the readings have not changed, everything is in order. If the volume of oil has decreased, there is a leak somewhere: perhaps the drain cover is not tightly closed or the pipes are leaking. It is necessary to leave the car overnight, and in the morning look under the bottom. An oil puddle will signal a leak. Timely refilling and replacement of engine oil will guarantee the trouble-free operation of the engine in both new and used cars.

What is a coolant for, inexperienced drivers ask? But for what: antifreeze is needed to cool the motor, and in general, the entire cooling system supplies and circulates coolant in the machine's motor.

In order for the cooling system of a car engine to work normally, every motorist must know how to properly and correctly top up and fill in antifreeze. This topic will be comprehensively covered in this article.

So, we know that without proper operation of the SOD, the engine can overheat, in addition, with poor-quality cooling, corrosion processes can occur. Antifreeze or antifreeze is recommended to be replaced every 40 thousand kilometers, but according to experts, such a replacement must be done annually

High quality antifreeze allows you to avoid corrosive processes, it is softer in structure and has many additives, its characteristics differ markedly from a cheap liquid in a number of indicators.

There is a lot of information about antifreeze or antifreeze and how they work in the engine system too. However, not many people understand how their correct topping up or filling is carried out, and the condition of the engine and, in general, the entire operation of your car depends on this.

What you need to know when topping up antifreeze

It should be reminded of such an important rule: refrigerants with different characteristics must not be mixed. When mixing such a cocktail, as a rule, a precipitate falls out, which does not evaporate in the air and does not disappear, but will systematically settle on thin radiator tubes and other parts of the SOD and coke in delicate parts and mechanisms of the system. That is why manufacturers recommend the use of those antifreezes that are suitable for your car, and those that are approved and initially fill the car's cooling system.

Many motorists are wondering whether it is possible to add water to antifreeze? The question is quite interesting, in small quantities and observing the correct proportions, such a method is possible, but provided that it is distilled water, and not tap water with various impurities in the form of chlorine, sodium, potassium and other chemical elements.

Do not focus on the color of the coolant, it will only confuse you completely. The color of antifreeze does not depend on its quality and composition. Sometimes, liquids of the same shade can be completely different in chemical composition, and vice versa, multi-colored antifreezes will be compatible both in structure, and additives, and base. Therefore, when buying, you should pay attention not to the color of the coolant, but to its composition and main characteristics.

How to pour antifreeze into SOD

Modern cars require careful attention not only because they are quite expensive, but also because they are equipped with sophisticated innovative mechanisms and systems. Today, antifreeze is mainly used for filling the engine, and we will take it as an example when analyzing this issue.

Important! The main mistake of motorists is pouring antifreeze into the radiator socket. Only those models that are disassembled have a special hole.

But initially, the one-piece radiator system is not designed to pour refrigerant into it. It is necessary to pour in the liquid through an expanded tank, which allows it to be evenly distributed over all nodes of the cooling system.

When completely replacing the coolant with a new one, it is necessary to free all the collapsible parts from the old antifreeze by removing the remaining liquid from them, and its residues must drain through an additional plug, which is located on the bottom of the radiator.

Of course, each hotel car has its own modification of the cooling system, so there should be an operating manual to help the owner. For example, English brands have non-standard drains and special holes for filling liquid. In general, the procedure for pouring antifreeze is not complicated, and each car owner can carry it out independently.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the coolant

Buying antifreeze

To begin with, you should purchase an antifreeze suitable in all respects. As a hint, you can use the vehicle operating instructions, in which the appropriate recommendations are necessarily written.

We start the car

Drain the old antifreeze

The next step is to drain the old antifreeze from all parts of the cooling system. The important point here is the correct positioning of the car - the front part should be slightly lower than the rear. This will allow the liquid to actively drain from all parts.

Next, we pay attention to the expansion tank plug to remove excess pressure. The coolant cools down rather quickly, so there is no risk of burns, but you should be careful when opening the plug. Then the outlet opens for draining in the radiator, of course, into containers specially placed under it, which must subsequently be disposed of.

We flush the system

After complete disposal of the old coolant, a complete flush of the system is performed. Such an event is carried out in the th case if you switch to the use of new brands of antifreeze or when the cooling system requires urgent maintenance, as it has not been carried out for a long time. With the help of distilled water, corrosive deposits are washed off and traces of scale are removed.

Particularly difficult dirt is removed by means of a special rinse. Water allows you to get rid of dirt on the system components in 10 minutes of flushing, if this is not enough, you can repeat the procedure several times. At the same time, parts are checked for wear. If they require replacement, this is the best time to check gaskets, nozzles, fittings.

Fill in new antifreeze

After the final cleaning of all system parts, a new working fluid is poured into the radiator neck or expansion tank. This requires attention, especially to those motorists who perform such an action for the first time: it is important not to confuse the holes and instead of the expansion tank, do not pour antifreeze into the wash tank, they are close by and similar in appearance. There is no need to rush, but there is no need to make stops either, since if air enters the system, it will take a long time to pump the engine.

Note! Liquid level is of great importance. In the radiator, this is a mark at the bottom, it shows the maximum value (risks). In the drain tank, this is the maximum mark, where the liquid diverges to different corners of the system and therefore the volumetric indicators will decrease.

Bleeding off excess air

After pumping in antifreeze, bleed air from the cooling system. You can bleed air with a screw located in the engine block. When the first drops of antifreeze appear, you can be sure that all the air has been vented. The tap is turned back on until it stops.

We start the car

After the end of all manipulations, you need to start the engine and leave it in working condition, while every five minutes it is necessary to do a gas filling with a return to its previous state. Then the engine is turned off and the level of antifreeze in the tank is checked. If necessary, the liquid must be topped up to the normal level. It is recommended to do a daily level check after a complete fluid change. At this time, it is possible to identify hidden problems in the system that were not previously known.

It would seem that the process is quite complicated, but in fact it is quite affordable for any car owner. It is worth performing such manipulations once, as the whole sequence of actions will be clear. For the first time, it is better to use the help of experienced drivers. But if you are afraid to replace the antifreeze yourself, in any car service specialists will provide you with this service for a certain amount of money.

How to add antifreeze yourself

It is necessary to add coolant to the car engine only through the corresponding hole located on the expansion tank. What exactly needs to be done:

Remove the cover and check for liquid. If the level is at the minimum mark, this is a reason to be wary. At the maximum level, there is also concern about system failure. The best option is the "golden mean".

Usually, antifreeze is topped up more often in winter, since the liquid is lost when the engine cools and heats up during machine downtime and idle. Do not be upset that antifreeze is decreasing - this is a normal process in winter. But if the liquid decreases too quickly, then you should think about checking the system or replacing the refrigerant with a more stable one. Antifreeze must be selected with a different formula that can withstand freezing and expansion.

Conclusion

• If you act in accordance with the instructions, then replacing antifreeze or refilling it will not cause difficulties even for the most inexperienced driver. But this does not mean that this process requires an exclusively independent approach. Car repair shops provide a similar service and therefore, if you have any doubts, you can use the services of specialists.
• You cannot mix antifreezes of different brands, you should not focus on their color. The selection of the coolant must be done exclusively in accordance with the brand recommended for the car.

An integral part of an internal combustion engine is the lubrication system. It protects the internal parts of the power unit from premature wear. For trouble-free operation of the system, it is recommended to monitor its technical condition and top up or in time. We will tell you how to independently control the level of the lubricating fluid, what is fraught with its increase or decrease, and also how to properly fill the oil into the car engine.

Checking the condition and oil level

Many owners of new cars do not even know how to add oil to the engine, driving after purchase until the first maintenance. Relying on the manufacturer's warranty, they forget that the operating instructions clearly spell out recommendations for the current maintenance of the car. The level should be checked regularly (once every 1–2 weeks), especially before long trips.

Important! To avoid distortion of the values, the level is checked on a cold, inoperative engine!

So, the order of work will be as follows:

If the level is within tolerance, reinstall the dipstick and close the hood. Do not rush to add oil to the engine at the minimum reading. Perhaps you need to fix the problem first, but we'll talk about that later.

New and used engine oil (dark)

Pay attention to the color and thickness of the oil film at each check. The color of the fluid changes depending on the mileage of the car after replacement:

• Fresh - almost transparent with a slightly yellowish tint;
• With a mileage of 4-5 thousand km, it becomes light brown;
• Towards the end of the term (12-15 thousand km) it becomes dark brown or black and is almost opaque.

In proportion to the darkening, it gradually thickens. So do not be surprised if the rolled working off will merge like jelly.

Attention! If you find a white impurity in the oil drops, a significant excess of the level and white smoke from the exhaust pipe, immediately contact a car service. Most likely, coolant gets into the lubrication system!

Influence of oil level on engine condition

It is normal to consume engine oil during vehicle operation. Its value depends on driving style, engine load and crankshaft speed. When running in a new engine, lubricant consumption is usually slightly above average. How does the different level affect the condition of the engine and can you add oil to the engine yourself?

Consider the reasons why the level goes beyond the mark MIN on the probe:

The following factors can be the reason for the increase:

1. Ingress of foreign liquids (antifreeze, fuel) into the crankcase.When gaskets are worn or cracks form in engine parts, process fluids are mixed. As a result, obvious symptoms of engine malfunction immediately appear (gray or black smoke from the exhaust pipe);
2. Excess when filling oil. When servicing the lubrication system, it is quite easy to overflow a little. If you overdo it quite a bit, then the excess will burn out naturally. In case of obvious overstatement, it is better to drain the excess and bring it back to the level. Otherwise, oil seals will flow or the catalytic converter will fail.

So that there are no problems when servicing the machine, it is better to know in advance how to properly add or change the oil in the engine.

How to pour oil into a car: change the fluid according to the rules

The service life of a petroleum product is calculated in terms of mileage or period of operation. So, most manufacturers recommend replacing engine oils after 12-15 thousand km or 1 year. The operating conditions of the vehicle are of great importance. Regions with a predominance of high or low temperatures, frequent driving on rough terrain and dusty roads, poor fuel quality, all these factors significantly reduce the lubricant life.

Oil change

Replacing the process fluid of a power unit is a fairly simple procedure that even a beginner can do. But young car enthusiasts often have a hard time imagining. Having mastered this operation, you will learn not only how to add oil to the engine, but also save on visiting a car service, getting pleasant emotions from work. To change the lubricant, do the following:

1. Place the car with a warm engine on a pit or overpass;
2. Open the hood and unscrew the filler cap;
3. Putting the container under the crankcase, unscrew the drain plug;
4. Unscrew the filter;
5. After complete draining of the liquid, reinstall the drain plug;
6. Screw on a new filter after lubricating the rubber ring;
7. Pour fresh oil into the engine through the filler neck, periodically checking the level;
8. Screw the cover back on.

The behavior of the car depends on the operation of the engine. In order for the motor to work for a long time and not break down, it is necessary to constantly monitor its condition. Checking the engine oil level is considered one of the important operations.

Before adding engine fluid, you need to determine how much volume is in the system. To do this, turn off the engine and park the car on a level surface. The check is carried out "for cold", with the cooled down motor system.

Each motor is equipped with a special dipstick with several marks indicating the minimum and maximum amount of oil composition.

The dipstick is removed from the crankcase and wiped thoroughly. Then it is again lowered inside the neck and the existing level is determined by the risks.

Top-up rules

First, you need to find out what brand of oil was added to the engine. When selling a car, the former owner usually tells what type of car oil he used. It remains only to purchase an analogue with the required viscosity coefficient.

Topping up is carried out only when the oil level "on the dipstick" does not reach the "minimum" mark. When checking this, remember that if the engine is hot, the oil has not completely drained into the crankcase. When the engine cools down, the lubricant level will be higher. Therefore, to obtain accurate data, you must wait until the unit cools down. Enough 15-20 minutes.

In winter, to check the level, experts advise slightly warming up the internal combustion engine. The fact is that in the cold, the oil begins to freeze, and after heating, the volume will increase slightly.

How to top up

Open the hood, remove the filler cap. It is usually labeled "Oill Fill". Use a dipstick to check the amount of grease present. The mark should show "maximum". If the volume is below the indicated mark, it is necessary to top up.

For normal engine operation, it is enough that the oil level is in the middle between the minimum and maximum - you need to strive to achieve this value.

In order for the operation to be performed accurately, it is necessary to insert a funnel into the oil filler hole. It will prevent liquid from splashing and getting onto the surface of the motor. If this happens, it must be wiped off with a rag. Otherwise, when the internal combustion engine heats up, the lubricant will begin to evaporate, and an unpleasant odor will appear in the cabin.

When adding oil, do not fill the entire volume at once. This is done in small portions, about 250 ml. After the liquid has completely drained into the pan, you need to check the level. The operation is repeated several times until the level reaches the middle between the "min" and "max" values.

After the end of the operation, the probe is tightly set in place. Wipe the oil filler cap thoroughly. There should be no dust or dirt left on it. Install it firmly in its original place.

Before closing the hood, make sure that you have not left any foreign objects. The remaining drops of oil must be carefully wiped off.

It's time to start the car and listen to how the engine works. The oil level light should not come on. If it starts to burn, you need to urgently contact a specialist to troubleshoot.

Topping up the oil is only necessary if necessary. Overflow of lubricant leads to the appearance of excessive pressure inside the power unit. As a result, it will fail and will require major repairs.