How to Check if the Car Engine Oil is Sufficient
3 Answers
Method to check if the car engine oil is sufficient: Cars are usually equipped with an oil dipstick to check the oil level. The dipstick has clear upper and lower limits, where H indicates the highest oil level and L indicates the lowest oil level. When the oil level falls below the L mark, the vehicle's oil warning light will illuminate, alerting the owner that the engine oil is insufficient and needs to be replenished promptly. As long as the oil level is between the two marks or at the three-quarter position, the car's oil level is still sufficient for normal driving. Of course, when checking the oil, the car must be parked and turned off, and the vehicle should be on level ground. Wait for three to five minutes after turning off the engine before checking the oil, otherwise, the reading may be inaccurate.
I've got plenty of experience with this – after driving for over a decade, engine oil issues are what I fear most. Park on level ground and turn off the engine, wait ten minutes for the oil to settle, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean. Remember there are two marking lines at the end of the dipstick? Reinsert it fully and pull it out again – if the oil mark is above the lower line, there's no need to worry. If it's below that line, top up with the same specification oil immediately, and never mix different brands. It's best to wear gloves during inspection, as some older cars have awkwardly positioned dipsticks that can dirty your sleeves. I make it a habit to check every 1,000 kilometers, especially before long trips – this routine has saved me from several potential roadside breakdowns.
Last time I helped my neighbor's younger sister check her car, I found she had no idea how to inspect the engine oil. Actually, it's quite simple. After parking and turning off the engine, wait about five minutes to let the oil settle to the bottom. Locate the yellow pull ring on the engine cover with the oil can symbol, slowly pull it out, and wipe it clean with a tissue. Remember to fully reinsert it before pulling it out again to check—the oil stain should ideally be at the two-thirds mark of the indicated area. If it's just at the minimum mark, don't risk driving; quickly buy a 1-liter bottle of oil and top it up slowly. Common mistakes beginners make are checking right after turning off the engine or doing it on a slope—no wonder the readings are off. I've seen too many engines with cylinder damage from oil starvation during my time as a mechanic.
