What is the method of identifying engine oil with a tissue?

[PaulRose]

The method of identifying engine oil with a tissue is: Dip the oil dipstick into the engine oil and drip it onto a tissue. The oil will spread outward, forming concentric rings with varying shades of color on the tissue. From the inside out, these rings are the deposit ring, diffusion ring, and oil ring. If the darker deposit ring is prominent, the oil needs to be changed immediately. The functions of engine oil are: 1. As a lubricant, it reduces friction and wear between moving parts; 2. As a coolant, it absorbs heat generated in the engine combustion chamber and piston top, cooling the engine and preventing overheating; 3. As a sealant, it fills the gap between the piston rings and cylinder liner to prevent leakage of combustion pressure.

[Laura]

As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I often use the tissue paper method to check engine oil. It's simple: after parking and letting the engine warm up slightly, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and then dip a bit of oil onto a white tissue. I observe how the oil droplet spreads—if it's light brown or transparent yellow and forms a uniform ring as it spreads, the oil is still clean. But if the color turns dark black or shows rusty particles clustering, with irregular spreading edges, it likely means the oil is too dirty or contains metal wear debris, signaling it's time for a change. This trick has saved me a lot of money by preventing engine damage. I make it a habit to check before and after every oil change. It's effortless but highly practical—I highly recommend giving it a try.

[QuinnMarie]

As a DIY car enthusiast, I enjoy using the paper towel method to check oil quality for vehicle diagnostics. The steps are: start the engine to warm it up for 5 minutes, park on level ground, wipe the dipstick clean, then lightly dab a drop of oil onto a fresh paper towel. Focus on the diffusion ring and residue - fast spreading with clear, bright color like new oil indicates good condition; slow spreading with dark color or shiny particles may suggest excessive contaminants or metal fragments, signaling oil degradation or internal engine wear. I perform this test monthly - it's free yet reliable. When abnormalities appear, I change oil promptly to protect engine performance and extend its lifespan.

[SawyerAnn]

For environmentally conscious individuals, I use a quick paper towel test to assess engine oil and reduce pollution. The method is as follows: after turning off the engine, dip the oil dipstick and drop oil onto a paper towel to observe changes. Good diffusion and light color indicate the oil is still usable, delaying replacement to conserve resources; poor diffusion and dark color suggest severe contamination, requiring immediate replacement to prevent leaks and environmental damage. Regular checks like this promote sustainable behavior and are Earth-friendly.