How to Check Car Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Checking car engine oil involves the following steps: 1. Open the car hood; 2. Pull out the oil dipstick; 3. Insert it into the engine oil. Methods to determine oil cleanliness include: 1. After pulling out the dipstick, smell it closely. If there is a strong sour odor, the oil has deteriorated; 2. Rub the old oil between your thumb and forefinger repeatedly. If you feel impurities, poor viscosity, or roughness, it should be replaced promptly; 3. Hold the dipstick at a 45-degree angle under light to observe the oil drops. Clear visibility of no wear particles indicates good condition; 4. Place a few drops of old oil on a clean white filter paper. After the oil leaks, high-quality oil will show no powder residue.
When I first started driving, I was quite confused about checking the engine oil. My friend taught me step by step: First, park the car on a level surface and engage the handbrake for safety. Let the engine cool for at least 5 minutes to avoid burns. Open the hood, locate the small-handled dipstick with a yellow or orange ring, and pull it out directly without using too much force. Wipe off the old oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper, then fully reinsert it. Press it down gently and quickly pull it out again to check the oil level marks. If the oil level is between the Min and Max marks, it's ideal. If it's too low, you need to add oil, but don't overfill it. Before adding, check the manual to choose the right oil type, and use a funnel to avoid spills. Also, observe the oil color: bright brownish-yellow is normal, but if it's black and sticky, it's time for an oil change. Now I check it simply every two weeks to avoid maintenance troubles.
