How to Check How Much Engine Oil is Left in the Car?
3 Answers
Methods to check how much engine oil is left in the car: 1. Park the car on a level surface, wait for the engine to cool down, then open the front hood to inspect the engine oil; 2. Locate the oil dipstick, pull it out, and wipe it clean the first time; 3. Reinsert and pull out the oil dipstick again, observe the oil level on the dipstick. The oil level should be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick. If it's too high, drain some oil; if it's too low, add some oil. Engine oil is a substance enhanced with additives in base oil, mainly containing anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and multi-grade oil viscosity index improvers. Engine oil is used for lubricating internal combustion engines, and its main functions are to reduce friction and wear of moving parts and to remove sludge and varnish from the engine.
When I usually check the oil level, first wait for the car to be turned off and sit for more than 5 minutes to let the oil flow back to the oil pan. Then, look for the yellow ring or the dipstick with a handle in the engine compartment, pull it out and wipe it clean with a clean cloth, reinsert it all the way in and pull it out again to see the oil mark position. It should be between the high and low marks on the scale. If the oil level is below the low mark, it means there is a lack of oil, and you need to quickly add the same type of oil, such as checking the manual to see if it recommends 5W-30 or something else. Be careful not to operate when the engine is hot to avoid burns. Regular checks can prevent engine wear. I recommend checking every 1,000 kilometers or once a month to promptly detect oil leaks or oil burning issues.
I make it a habit to check the oil level every two weeks to ensure driving safety. After turning off the engine and parking, wait a few minutes, open the hood, locate the small pull ring labeled 'Oil', pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it all the way in, then slowly pull it out to observe if the oil stain is between the upper and lower marks. If it's below the lower mark, it might indicate oil leakage or normal consumption, and you'll need to top it up a bit. However, always use the oil type recommended by the manufacturer and avoid adding oils with different viscosities. Also, regularly check for any oil stains under the chassis as a preventive measure to avoid engine overheating or even failure due to oil shortage.
