How to Check if the Engine Oil is Sufficient?
4 Answers
Automobiles are usually equipped with an oil dipstick to check the oil storage level. The dipstick has clear upper and lower limits marked as H and L, where H represents the highest oil level (upper limit) and L represents the lowest oil level (lower limit). 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. More information about automotive engine oil is as follows: 1. As long as the oil level is between the upper and lower marks or at the 3/4 position, the vehicle's oil level is still sufficient for normal operation. 2. When checking the oil, the vehicle must be parked and turned off, placed on a level surface, and the oil should be checked three to five minutes after turning off the engine to ensure accuracy.
Last time I helped my neighbor Old Wang check his car, I found he overfilled the engine oil - it was even leaking from the oil pan. Checking oil level is actually super simple: Park the car, turn off the engine and wait 10 minutes to let oil drain back to the pan. Pull out the yellow-ringed dipstick from the engine bay, wipe it clean, reinsert fully then pull out to check. Normal oil level should be slightly above the midpoint between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick. If oil reaches the crosshatched area, it's overfilled. Focus on the two small dots or notches at the dipstick's tip - top up with the same oil type if level is low. Always perform this on level ground as hot/cold engine conditions affect readings (never check right after shutdown). Developing a monthly inspection habit is highly effective - unlike my coworker who regretted only after engine seizure damage occurred.
You can check the engine oil in just two minutes before sending your kids to school in the morning. After parking and turning off the engine, don't rush to pull out the dipstick—wait five minutes to let the oil settle. Pull out the metal strip with the orange plastic head, wipe off the old oil stains with a kitchen paper towel, fully reinsert it, then pull it out again to check. The oil mark should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Fresh oil is amber-colored; if it appears black, it's time for a change. For example, my SUV had a missing seal after maintenance, causing the oil to leak until it was below the dipstick's minimum level, and I only noticed when the dashboard's yellow warning light came on. It's advisable to keep a bottle of the same type of oil in the trunk. If you find the level below the midpoint, add 200 milliliters, and it's safer to add it in multiple small increments.
As a frequent visitor to auto repair shops, I've learned my lesson: checking the oil when the engine is cold is the most accurate! Park for more than 3 hours before checking the dipstick, as the oil will have settled in the oil pan. The metal dipstick has two raised marks or notches at the end, and the optimal oil level is when the oil film covers about 70% of the area between these two marks. In northern winters, be cautious—some 0W oils have such good fluidity that checking when the engine is warm can give a falsely high reading. Last time, I overfilled with full synthetic oil, and the crankshaft churned the oil into foam, causing poor lubrication and a rattling engine. Remember, the oil filler cap is on the valve cover—don’t confuse it with the transmission fluid filler.
