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Self-checking the engine oil level. What should the oil level be when measured on the dipstick? Normal engine oil level

Checking your car's oil level regularly is vital to keeping it in good working order. This is one of the easiest manipulations to perform. maintenance vehicle that you should perform regularly, especially before long journeys, since it is during this period that the engine operates in the most intensive mode. You should study the location of all sensors in the engine compartment, learn how to diagnose oil-related problems and their solutions.

Steps

Part 1

Find the dipstick

    Please refer to the user manual. Mobil One and other oil manufacturers recommend checking the level engine oil before starting to move while it is still cold. However, some manufacturers recommend doing this after the engine has warmed up, so it is worth reading the owner's manual to find recommendations specifically for your vehicle. All oil during the level check should be in the oil pan, and not in the engine, as it happens when the car is moving. Immediately after driving, the dipstick will indicate a low oil level, as a result of which there is a risk of overflow when adding oil. If you want to check the oil level immediately after driving, then you should wait five to ten minutes before this procedure until the oil drains into the oil pan.

    • In very cold weather, it is advisable to drive the car a little to warm up the oil a little and make it less viscous. Run the engine for a few minutes before checking the level, then allow it to cool for five minutes.
    • Many people disagree on the correctness of a hot or cold test. Some manufacturers recommend checking the engine oil while hot, and this method works great if you know which line on the dipstick you need to pay attention to. With cold oil, the level mark will be below the "minimum", but when the vehicle is moving, the oil will begin to expand as the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
    • Synthetic oil expands more at high temperatures than "normal" oil, so when using synthetic oil, you can get a more accurate result when checking the level in a cold engine. If in doubt, your mechanic should be consulted.
  1. Park your vehicle on a flat, smooth surface. To get accurate readings, you need to be sure that the oil is evenly distributed over the surface of the sump, and failure to follow this rule can give you inaccurate data. Try to find a relatively flat surface to park and check the oil level.

    Raise the hood. Usually, the hood release handle is located near the driver's foot on the side of the door. Pull or push this handle, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Then you need to get out of the car and look for a latch under the front of the hood, which is usually located in its center, and sometimes slightly offset to the side. Pull on it and raise the hood to check the engine.

    • On some vehicles, the bonnet remains in the raised position on its own, while in others this requires a support bar, which is usually folded down on the front or side of the engine compartment. Lift the rod, insert it into the designated place (it should be located on open hood) and release the hood.
  2. Find the dipstick. Most vehicles have a red, orange, or yellow plastic tip on the dipstick. It is designed as a round or rectangular hinge that protrudes from the engine block on one of its sides. In some vehicles, such as Honda and some Ford models, the dipstick is built right into the top of the valve cover. The dipstick is usually located on the passenger side or in front of the engine compartment and has a dipstick about the size of a pencil.

    • In most cars, oil dipsticks are marked with an old oil lamp symbol (similar to the lamp from the well-known genie tale). After locating the location of the dipstick, you can proceed to remove it and check the oil level.
    • Most cars with automatic transmission gears have two oil dipsticks: one for checking the oil level in the engine, and the other for checking the oil in the gearbox. The transmission dipstick is located at the rear of the engine compartment on the driver's side and fits into a slightly larger tube. The transmission fluid is red or pink in color. Do not confuse the two at all. different liquids when filling, because such inattention can cost you serious financial expenses.
  3. Arm yourself with paper towels or old rags. When checking the oil level, it is important to always have a few paper towels or a cloth on hand that you can use to wipe the dipstick or check the consistency of the oil. Paper towels are generally best suited for this purpose, as they have a contrasting white background to further examine the color of the oil. They are also useful for drying your hands.

    Part 2

    Oil check

    Remove the dipstick. The length of the stylus in most cases ranges from 30 to 90 centimeters, and you need to examine the tip to obtain the desired reading. Pull the dipstick slowly, while holding a paper towel near the dipstick port as you pull it out to blot excess oil and prevent splashing.

  • When pulling out most of the dipsticks, you do not need to pull or twist too much, but in some situations you will need to apply little force to pull it out. After the tip exits the probe, the rest of the probe should come out fairly easily. Don't overdo it.

Examine the color and condition of the oil. The color and consistency of the engine oil can be used to determine whether it is worn out or any other issues related to engine performance that may need to be addressed immediately. By pulling out the dipstick, you can immediately determine the condition of the engine oil. The non-replaceable engine oil on the rag is slightly yellowish-greenish in color and should not be too dark. Wipe off the oil from the end of the dipstick and examine the remaining mark on the rag.

  • As it gets dirty, the oil will change its color from gold or amber to brown and black, as more and more particles from the engine gradually begin to get into it during the process of friction. Metal shavings and individual particles gradually scratch the walls of the engine cylinders throughout the entire period of operation, therefore, the oil should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and at the service intervals specified by the manufacturer (check the operating instructions or service book and find the interval in it service your vehicle).
  • Study the color. Is the oil watery or thick? Is it black or dark? If there are such signs, you should take the car to a car service for an oil change or do it yourself.
  • Wipe off the dipstick and re-place it in the dipstick. When you remove the dipstick for the first time, you will not be able to obtain objective information about the oil level, since all its divisions are poured as the vehicle moves. After removing the dipstick and examining the color of the oil, wipe the end and insert it back into the hole, and then immediately pull it back out for an accurate reading.

  • Check the oil level. Most dipsticks have two small dots at the end, one corresponding to the maximum oil level in the oil pan and the other corresponding to the minimum. The minimum point is closer to the tip of the stylus, and the maximum point is approximately 2.5 cm from the minimum point up the stylus. When the engine is properly filled with oil, the level should be approximately halfway between these two points.

    • The "minimum" oil level must not be in the immediate vicinity of the minimum point. If the oil level is between the minimum point and the tip of the dipstick, then you should immediately add oil.
    • The oil level should never exceed the maximum fill mark, however, when the engine warms up, this value can be close to the maximum. In this case, you will need to drain some of the excess oil from the engine.

    Part 3

    Topping up oil

    Read the user manual. Before starting the procedure, you need to determine the grade of oil required for your car. It is very important to do this, as the type of oil can differ in the same car models and even depend on the season. It is very unwise to mix the two different types oil, so you should read your owner's manual carefully or have your local mechanic fill your vehicle with oil.

    • You can also find out the type of oil your car requires by talking to the staff at one of the auto parts stores. By the make and model of the car, they must find the right oil for you, or you can find out by yourself reading a certain section of the user manual.
  • Locate the oil filler cap that is located on the top of the engine. This cover is usually clearly marked with "Oil Fill" and sometimes has the type of engine oil used in your engine printed on it. With the applied markings, for example 5W30, you will always know the required type of oil to be filled. Remove the cover, wipe it off with a paper towel or rag, and insert a clean funnel into the opening.

    • You must use a funnel when pouring oil into the engine, otherwise there is a risk of spillage on the engine block, which, if burnt, will give a terrible smell and possibly more serious problems.
  • Pour in a suitable oil in small portions. It is important to allow extra time for the oil to drain into the oil pan. Fill the funnel in one quick motion and then add oil as it decreases into the engine. Avoid overflowing over the edges of the funnel.

    • Don't panic if you do manage to spill some oil in engine compartment... Spilled oil is not very dangerous, although it can smell bad and smoke when the engine is very hot. Try to wipe off as much of it as possible with a rag or towel.
  • In order to keep your car in perfect condition, it is important to know how to check the oil level in the engine. This is a mandatory and fairly simple part of the service of any car, and any, even an inexperienced, car enthusiast can handle it. This is especially important when you are planning a long journey, because it is in these situations that the motor is under the greatest stress.

    This skill is especially necessary for owners of used cars, as very often, for various reasons, lubrication is consumed in them much faster.

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    Checking correctly

    Basic rules when checking the oil level:


    Tools

    • rags;
    • gloves;
    • pointer.

    Stages

    It is necessary to constantly check the level of the lubricating mixture in the car in order to maintain it in working order and extend its resource. This is the simplest and, meanwhile, one of the most important stages of those. car service, which is available to any car owner. To do everything correctly, we will describe the whole process in detail and step by step.

    When to start checking?

    The instructions that come with the car often indicate that the level of the lubricant mixture should be checked when the engine is cold. Because she must have time to completely escape into the pallet. Otherwise, if not all the grease flows into the sump, a certain level will be much less than the real one, since the level is checked specifically in the sump. If the check is carried out after the trip, you need to wait for a while, so that it has time to drain.

    But if the weather is cold, it is recommended to start the car for a while, and then turn it off and wait about twenty minutes. This is done so that the oil has time to liquefy (in extreme cold, it thickens, which will lead to incorrect values \u200b\u200bduring the check).

    Finding where the pointer is located

    On the indicator (a tool used during lubrication testing) of most cars there are 2 pairs of marks, according to which the level of the lubricant mixture can be measured both on a cold and hot engine. These are usually labels "Hot" and "Cold".

    Place the machine on a level surface first. In order for the readings to be accurate, you need to make sure that the oil does not overflow onto either side of the pan, which will give incorrect data. Try to park the machine on a level, horizontal road. If the machine is installed on a slope, the data will be false, the oil level will be too high or, on the contrary, too low.

    The first step is to open the hood. To do this, you need to find the latch. It is located in place of the driver on the left - traditionally in the form of a small lever, pulling on which should be heard a typical click. Then we leave the car, the hood lid should open slightly and a small gap should appear between it and the car body. When you find that something is holding the cover, put your fingers in this gap, find a small lever and pull, the hood will open. Access to engine compartment free. Some new car models are equipped with a hood fixing system, but on the rest you need to fix the cover with a specially provided rod located on the side of the hood.

    The probe handle can be orange or yellow color - it depends on the model. The shape can be either round or rectangular. It is inserted into the cylinder block.

    Some models equipped with an automatic transmission have two indicators under the bonnet. One is for testing the lubricant mixture power unitand the other is for checking transmission fluid boxes. In order not to confuse them, it must be borne in mind that the indicator for the automatic transmission in most cases is located on the back of the engine compartment or to the side of it, and it is much longer than the engine oil indicator. The handle of the transmission fluid indicator is usually painted pink or red, it is very important not to confuse these probes and not accidentally pour lubricant for the engine in the automatic transmission and vice versa - oil for the automatic transmission in the engine - this can disable these units, and their restoration will not be cheap.

    Checking the oil level

    Having determined where the probe is located (usually its length is about thirty centimeters), slowly pull it out. It usually comes out easily, but sometimes it can take some effort.

    After pulling out the pointer, carefully consider the color and quality of the oil. Experienced mechanics, by color and consistency, can correctly determine its age, condition and other points of the effectiveness of the motor. Engine lubricant, which is in good condition and does not need to be replaced, has a yellow-brown tint. If the grease is black and opaque, change it immediately.

    When the dipstick is removed, wipe it with a cloth.

    Next, insert it again into the hole from where you pulled it out, to the very end. When you pull out the meter for the first time, you cannot determine the amount of oil, you can only judge its quality, because it is covered in oil. Now, after wiping it and putting it back in the hole, remove it. You can now check the lubricant level. There are marks on the tip of the gauge that correspond to the maximum and minimum liquid level in the sump. The minimum is drawn towards the end of the index and the maximum is a few centimeters higher. If the meter is soiled approximately halfway between these marks, then this indicates a normal level of lubricant mixture in your motor.

    If the level is below the "MINIMUM" mark, then immediately add fluid. If "MAXIMUM" is higher, then on the contrary, pump it out. An excess of lubricant in the motor is as dangerous as a lack.

    That's basically all, now you can independently and correctly measure the level of the lubricant mixture in your engine.

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    Video "Measuring the oil level on Subaru"

    This video shows how to properly measure the engine lubricant level using a Subaru as an example.

    A simple and seemingly unimportant procedure for checking the oil level in the engine is actually quite important. Thanks to her, the motorist can find out what the condition of the engine is. A constantly low / high level of engine lubricant indicates the presence of malfunctions in the functioning of the power unit, which must be eliminated as soon as possible.

    When to check oil

    What oil level should the engine have? Experienced motorists know that overfilling / underfilling does not lead to anything good. It is necessary to fill in the amount of grease specified in the operating manual.

    When might you need to check the oil level?


    Using the dipstick, oil volume indicator

    How to check the engine oil level? A special dipstick can be used. Measurement is carried out in this way:


    Observe some rules when performing testing procedures. Do not run them while the engine is running. This is dangerous and the level is measured incorrectly. Check only with a warm engine.

    The oil volume indicator allows the car owner to monitor the amount of lubricant in the engine. It is located on dashboard... When establishing low level The engine oil indicator comes on immediately. You should always watch him. If it flashes, stop, turn off the engine and check with the dipstick.

    Increased volume of motor oil

    What to do if the amount of lubricant is too high? If there is not much excess car oil, it means that you overflowed it during the shift. It is undesirable to operate a car with a consumable level above the maximum. Excess grease can begin to squeeze out of the seals and linings. They will break, they will have to be changed. The car oil will penetrate the crankcase ventilation system, the cylinder block. Drain excess oil through a special hole, or pump out the consumable with a syringe on which a flexible tube of the appropriate radius is fitted.


    The situation becomes more complicated if the volume of the car oil is exceeded significantly. This indicates that the lubricant is mixed with a coolant, fuel. This happens for various reasons:

    • the cylinder head lining is damaged (burnt out). The lining often burns out on worn out engines, during intensive use, overheating, filling a low-quality coolant;
    • cracked cylinder head;
    • the diaphragm of the fuel pump is damaged. This causes the fuel to mix with the lubricant. This is due to the use of poor gasoline / diesel, which negatively affects the diaphragms;
    • the carburetor is incorrectly adjusted (the volume of fuel in the float chamber is increased) or the injection nozzles are broken (they have lost their tightness). It is necessary to regularly check and adjust the carburetor, clean and replace the injectors.

    If you find that the volume of the car oil has suddenly increased by about 2 times, stop using the machine immediately. Seizure of the power unit may occur. The lubricant will not perform its own task; seizures will appear on the cylinder walls. We'll have to overhaul the vehicle.

    Reduced volume of motor oil

    If the lubricant level is below the lower mark, this can be explained by waste or by the fact that the lubrication complex has ceased to be tight. The film of car oil, passing along the cylinder walls, heats up, burns out. In modern gasoline engines allowable consumption on waste it is equal to three tenths of a percent, on diesel - three percent.

    So if the lubricant level does not decrease very quickly (the distance between the dipstick marks corresponds to approximately one liter of car oil), then there is no need to worry. Top up with the oil that is optimal for your internal combustion engine. If the waste consumption is too high, the car must be diagnosed and repaired.


    Leakage of engine oil from under the crankcase

    From time to time, it is required to check the motor from all sides to detect a leak. Of course, in a clean engine, it is easier to notice a leak, so cleaning the engine is a very useful procedure. However, not every leak can be detected without installing a car on a ditch or overpass. In view of this, if you think that the tightness of the lubricating complex is broken, go to a car service.

    Conclusion

    Regularly checking the amount of engine lubricant is essential to ensure smooth operation of the vehicle. Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to understand how to properly check the oil level in the engine. If you violate the verification rules, you will receive an incorrect result. In view of this, carefully read the order of the procedure.

    It is not necessary to contact a car service. The check is quite simple, you can do it yourself. Of any special tools will not need. There is a dipstick in the engine internal combustion of each vehicle.

    As a rule, novice motorists are faced with the first difficulties during the maintenance of the internal combustion engine exactly when it comes to. The fact is that many drivers know very well where the oil is in the engine, while not everyone knows what the oil level in the engine should be and how to check it accurately.

    The selection of oil, as well as the determination of the intervals for its replacement, causes no less difficulties. In this article, we will talk about what needs to be done to accurately check the lubricant level, as well as how often the oil in the engine is changed, taking into account various factors, the characteristics of vehicle operation and the properties of the lubricant themselves.

    Read in this article

    What happens if there is not enough oil in the engine

    To begin with, you need to constantly monitor the oil level in the engine. Moreover, this rule is fully true both for new power units and for those with solid mileage.

    A common mistake of novice drivers is the opinion that the lubricant level in a new engine will always be constant, that is, there is no need to add oil from replacement to replacement.

    In fact, this is not the case. As practice shows, almost any modern engine consumes oil under certain conditions. If this flow rate is within acceptable limits, then this is not a malfunction. The manufacturers of power units themselves indicate the permissible consumption of lubricant in the operating manual.

    The fact is that many modern motors are, are equipped with systems and are structurally complex units. In low and medium load modes, lubrication may not be consumed, but the situation changes when the driver loads the unit.

    If the engine spins up strongly in the start-stop mode (aggressive driving in the city) or often and for a long time runs on high revs (for example, when driving on a highway with high speed), then an increase in oil appetite naturally occurs. Drivers often refer to this phenomenon as oil waste.

    The reason is simple - part of the lubricant during increased loads on the internal combustion engine will enter the combustion chamber, burning out along with the fuel charge. Considering this feature, then it becomes obvious the need for regular checks of the lubricant level.

    Experts recommend checking the level every day after an overnight stay, or at least once every 6-7 days (adjusted for individual operating characteristics). This approach very often allows you to timely detect a critical decrease in the level of lubricant in the internal combustion engine, as well as avoid serious consequences.

    It is well known that running an engine without lubrication will quickly destroy the power unit. For this reason, there is a dashboard that lights up in case of problems with the oil system. It should not be forgotten that the lamp comes on very often when there is little oil in the engine or for other reasons.

    If you do not go into details, the light on many cars will light up when the engine is already close to the fact that it can simply jam. In other cases (for example, when the oil level in the engine has dropped by 0.5 or 1.0 liter), the lamp will not light up.

    It turns out that if the driver does not check the level on his own, then the power unit will experience increased and accelerated wear during further driving (depending on how serious the shortage is and how much the level has dropped). In other words, from and wear of the internal combustion engine with an insufficient, but not yet critical decrease in the oil level, the presence warning light does not insure in any way.

    As for the consequences for the motor, they can be very different. On some engines, increased wear will not be critical, that is, after the engine will retain its performance. At the same time, such experiments will not add a resource to the unit.

    On other engines, a shortage of even 0.5-0.7 liters can lead to problems with, the appearance of scuffing in the cylinders, destruction, damage, and, as well as a number of other problems.

    How to check the oil: on a cold or hot engine

    So, we figured out the need for constant monitoring. Now let's take a look at how to properly check the engine oil level. Immediately, we note that in this matter, motorists were divided into two camps. More precisely, the debate revolves around the topic of how to check correctly, on a cold or hot engine.

    Some people think that the best and most reliable way is to test "for cold". The main argument is that in this case, the grease has time to completely drain into the pan, allowing the most objective assessment of the situation.

    However, opponents of this method object, citing the natural property of oil to "expand" when heated and "shrink" after cooling. It turns out that if on a cold internal combustion engine (especially in winter) the level can be underestimated, then after warming up the volume will increase, that is, everything will return to normal.

    At the same time, if you add oil to the "cold" level, then after further warming up of the engine, the oil will dilute and expand, after which the indicator exceeds the "MAX" mark. As you know, overflowing oil into the engine is fraught with an increase in pressure in the oil system above normal and squeezing out oil seals, the appearance of leaks, etc.

    Also, excess oil can enter the crankcase ventilation system, penetrate the engine cylinders. An excessive amount of lubricant contributes to the rapid failure of the catalytic converter. In view of the above, you need to understand how the level is checked. To begin with, here are general recommendations:

    • First of all, the machine must be placed on a level surface. The site must be free of slopes and the vehicle must be level.
    • You can often find an indication that the oil level should be checked with a warm engine. This means that during the test, the arrow of the temperature gauge should be at least in the middle (about 50 degrees).
    • Before checking, you need to muffle the internal combustion engine, and then allow the lubricant to drain into the crankcase. For this, 10-15 minutes will be enough.
    • Then you need to remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. After that, the probe must be installed back to the stop, then you need to wait 3-5 seconds. During this time, the grease will leave its marks on the dipstick.
    • Then the probe can be removed, being careful not to touch the walls of the hole with its tip when removing. The level that is between the two control marks can be considered normal. These labels are designated min (minimum) and max (maximum).
    • A decrease in the level below the minimum will indicate that the engine oil needs to be added. Exceeding the level above max indicates the need to remove excess lubricant from the motor.

    We add that on some internal combustion engines, the manufacturer has provided the ability to check the level both on a cold and on a warm engine. In this case, the probe additionally contains HOT (hot) and COLD (cold) marks.

    If we talk about checks "for cold", then special attention will deserve winter period... Indeed, during severe cold weather, the oil freezes and thickens in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine. As a result, the dipstick may show a decrease in level.

    To eliminate possible errors, it is recommended to first check on a cold internal combustion engine, then warm up the engine and re-analyze according to the scheme described above. Only then can a decision be made on topping up and the amount of lubricant to be added.

    Let us add that in the summer period, as a rule, the deviations for "cold" and "hot" are not so significant. This means that if you pour oil into a cold engine so that the level is in the middle (strictly between the “min” and “max” marks), then after warming up, significant deviations from the norm will not occur.

    How long does it take to change the engine oil: synthetics, semi-synthetics, mineral water

    As you know, the service life of a particular engine oil directly depends on:

    • matching the type of oil to a specific motor;
    • base oil base;
    • operating modes of the vehicle;
    • fuel quality;
    • engine condition;
    • air pollution in the region;

    Many people know that the manufacturer prescribes recommended oil change intervals for most vehicles. The average figure can be 20 or even 30 thousand km. However, these figures are average, based on the European quality of fuel, as well as taking into account the use of high quality filters.

    As for the CIS countries, the operating conditions of motors in this case may well be so-called severe. In this case, it is recommended to change the oil, taking into account a significant reduction in the manufacturer's recommended interval. You should also take into account how a particular vehicle is operated.

    For example, a mileage-only oil change may initially be the wrong approach. It is enough to imagine two cars running on the same oil, one of which conditionally traveled 10 thousand km on the highway in 6 months at an average speed of 80 km / h, while the other traveled the same 10 thousand km in the city in 12 months, and the average speed was 25-30 km / h.

    It should also be borne in mind that engine performance is measured not in kilometers traveled, but in engine hours. It becomes clear that in the first case, the power unit has worked, conditionally, 200 hours. At the same time, the engine was in the mode of moderate loads, completely warmed up, cooled well.

    In parallel with this, the power unit of the car, which was in the city, was constantly operated in the mode of acceleration and stopping, the car stood in traffic jams on the 20th, the engine cooled down more often and then started "cold", the engine did not have time to warm up during a short trip, etc.

    It is quite obvious that in the second case, the power unit worked much more difficult conditions, and not 200, but as much as 400 engine hours (conditionally). Naturally, in such an internal combustion engine, the oil resource is up to 10 thousand km. mileage may be at the limit, the engine is less lubricated, the protection of parts is insufficient, the decomposition products of the lubricant contaminate the oil system.

    It is also important to understand that the stability of the characteristics different types lubricants depend on their base and the package of added chemical additives. As for the base, mineral oils have the smallest resource, while synthetic products have the longest life.

    Intermediates among the most common types of oils can be considered and. If it is simpler, the cheapest and simplest option is mineral water, then semi-synthetics comes, then hydrocracking, and after that a lubricant on a completely synthetic basis.

    At the same time, it is also necessary to take into account that on low-quality fuel, the additive package "triggering", oxidation and aging of any type of oil occurs quite quickly. For this reason experienced drivers recommend reducing the mileage change interval declared by the engine manufacturer from 30 to 50% (depending on the quality of the oil and the operating conditions of the vehicle).

    For example, if the manufacturer recommends changing the lubricant every 15 thousand km, then mineral oil it is better to change already after 4-5 thousand high-quality semi-synthetics closer to 6-7 thousand hydrocracking product no later than 8-9 thousand, and synthetics by 10 thousand km. As for the replacement in time, it is optimal to change the lubricant in the engine every 6 months. If the replacement is made once a year (the car does not have high mileage), then it is better to perform the specified procedure before the onset of cold weather.

    In parallel with checking the level, regular checks also allow a visual assessment of the oil condition. Given that there is still no clear answer when to change the oil in the engine, this approach allows in some cases to timely identify the premature loss of protective, detergent and other useful properties of the lubricant.

    Also, one should not forget that there is always a risk of acquiring counterfeit products that can change their appearance after entering the internal combustion engine. In this case, instead of oil, a jelly-like substance may be visible on the dipstick, and the owner may also note excessive fluidity of the material, etc. In other words, it is easier to identify counterfeit lubricants with frequent checks.

    If the oil looks suspicious, the formation of foam, emulsion is noticeable, in excess of the norm, or the presence of suspensions is detected, a smell unusual for this material appears, then it is necessary to stop using the internal combustion engine.

    In this case, it is optimal to seek help from specialists, completely drain such lubricant, carry out an in-depth check and, replace the oil with fresh one (possibly with).

    What is the result

    As you can see, from the correct selection and quality of oil, its level in the engine and timely replacement lubrication directly depends on the serviceability and the overall service life of the internal combustion engine.

    Remember, any savings on lubricants are unacceptable, especially when you consider how much it costs to change the engine oil versus the cost of repairing the engine.

    Also, in the process of selecting a lubricant for an engine, you must first of all be guided by the tolerances and instructions of the manufacturer of the power unit. Only by choosing the products that are suitable for tolerances and specifications, you can proceed to a detailed study of the oil base and other unique properties of a particular engine oil.

    Read also

    Should the engine consume oil and what is the normal oil consumption for the engine. Increased consumption lubricants, main causes, frequent malfunctions.



    For proper and long engine operation, it is necessary to fill in oil good quality and control its level every time. This procedure will not take more than 5 minutes. As soon as the level of the filled oil is below the minimum mark, it must be refilled immediately. Indeed, without the proper level of oil fluid, the engine will overheat and it will no longer be possible to restore it.

    Fundamental rules

    When changing the oil, the following list of rules must be observed:

    • you need to change the oil together with the oil filters. This is necessary so that old filters do not contaminate new oil;
    • you need to stop on a completely flat surface. Thanks to this, the readings will be accurate;
    • wait a little for the car to slowly start to cool down. And the oily liquid glass into the pan.

    Step-by-step instruction

    To check the oil level, you will need to do the following:

    1. open the hood and take the dipstick, with which the oil level will be checked;
    2. wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and put it back in the socket;
    3. take the dipstick again and check the level;
    4. after checking the level, put the dipstick back into the socket and close the hood.

    Analysis of results

    There should be two marks on it: Min - means the minimum oil level, which is necessary for the full operation of the engine, and Max - this is indicated maximum amount oils. Ideally, the oil level should be exactly in the middle of these two marks. If the oil level is at the Min mark or even less, then the oil must be filled urgently in order to avoid many problems. It is also not necessary to fill up to the maximum mark of the amount of oil. This will only worsen the performance of the engine, due to the fact that the oil will be on the cylinders.

    Replacement frequency

    The period after which you need to change the oil depends on the following factors:

    • From the date of manufacture of the vehicle and the condition of the engine. If the car is only from the factory, then you can safely follow the recommendations of the manufacturers. During the break-in process, you should abandon the sporty driving style. After running in, it is advisable to fill quality oil... When buying a used car, you must immediately change the oil and all filters. You should not blindly believe the seller's words that everything was replaced by him before the sale.
    • Frequency of vehicle use. Many people believe that a rarely used car will last significantly longer than a daily used one. This opinion is extremely erroneous. Since during a long idle period, condensation forms in the engine, which spoils the composition of the oil and creates an acidic environment.
    • Driving style. Aggressive driving consumes more fuel and lubricant.
    • Engine oil quality. Dear synthetic oil will allow replacement every 10,000 - 15,000 kilometers.
    • Gasoline quality. Each added impurity to the composition of gasoline evaporates and pollutes the engine.
    • Season of vehicle operation. Before frost, the oil must be changed.

    What is the risk of excess or lack of oil?

    Manufacturers set the maximum and minimum oil level on the dipstick for full engine operation. If you break it, then you can face many breakdowns, including serious ones.

    High oil level

    An engine oil level that is too high will lead to many breakdowns over time. Oil seals will be at risk first. Most of them can be easily replaced. But to replace the rear oil seals, you need to remove the gearbox. This job requires professionals to do it. On injection vehicles too high an oil level can damage the MAF sensor, which will subsequently result in wrong work revs and higher fuel consumption. The replacement procedure is quite simple, but the cost of the sensor on some cars can exceed 10 thousand rubles. Also, too high an oil level can be the cause of such trouble as failure of the engine itself due to pressure loss.

    To lower the oil level, do the following:

    1. Unscrew the plug from the pallet. In this case, the engine must be completely cooled down. It is not necessary to completely remove the plug. You can loosen it a little, then some of the oil will pour out. It is worth knowing that doing this work, you will definitely get dirty. So don't forget to change your clothes before starting.
    2. Using an ordinary medical syringe. To do this, you need to take a tube of the desired diameter. Remove the dipstick and insert the tube. We suck the excess amount of oil into the syringe.

    Low oil level

    Often, drivers not caring for their car may notice a red pressure indicator on the dashboard. After its appearance, it is advisable to immediately stop driving and turn off the engine. Since it is impossible to drive without the proper level of oil fluid, this will lead to engine damage. In this situation, the oil must be topped up. The oil can be mixed with the newly purchased oil. But it is advisable that you always have a little previously poured oil with you. But if it is not there, then it is better to get a mixture of oil from different manufacturers... Driving with an urgently low oil level is highly undesirable; it is better to use the services of a tow truck.

    At the minimum oil level, the driver should check the condition of the oil seals and inspect the place under the car for marks.

    It is important to be aware that oil consumption increases with aggressive driving style and turbine vehicles. Given the enormous cost of the engine and its components, every driver should periodically check the oil level. If the oil level is below the existing mark, then it is highly discouraged to operate the car. Remember that the cost of an engine is over 50 percent of the entire vehicle.

    You need to buy oil only in official stores. Since there is a high probability of purchasing a craft. In pursuit of savings, you will subsequently spend more on car repairs.

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