All about Engine Oil
For a healthier and longer engine life, you need to fuel it with the right engine oil. Engine oils are crucial in the smooth running of engines, reducing fuel emissions and improving engine’s performance.
Published Date - 9th Jan 2020
To make sure your engine runs smoothly, it is essential to ensure that your engine oil is checked and changed regularly. We’ve listed down the steps required, to help you check and change your engine oil:
Engine oils clean, cool and protects your engine. They ensure that your engine is properly lubricated and allow the pistons to slide smoothly in the engine cylinders hundreds of times per second. Engine oils also continuously releases impurities contained in the engine circuit. However, it is extremely important to check your engine oil levels regularly, so that you can top it up whenever needed.
Before checking the oil level, make sure you are at a distance from the engine, it is not too hot and is off, so that you don’t burn yourself. Also, keep a check that your car is on level ground, in order to see the exact amount of oil remaining.
Step 1: Pull out the dipstick ring until it is fully removed. Post that, make sure you wipe it with a dry, clean cloth. The location of your dipstick mainly depends on whether you have a vehicle with an in-line engine or a transverse one.
Step 2: Insert the dipstick in the pipe once again. In case, the dipstick tends to get stuck, remove it, wipe it and re-insert it carefully.
Step 3: Pull out the dipstick once again and check the oil level. To do so, you need to look at the “Min(imum)” and “Max(imum)” marks on the dipstick. If the level is below the “Min” mark, you need to refill the oil and vice versa.
Step 4: Open the oil tank cap and keep having a check on the oil levels, as you top it up with the engine oil. Do not go higher than the “Max(imum)" mark.
Step 5: Once you are done, screw the cap on the oil tank and put the dipstick back into the pipe.
It is suggested to check your oil level every 2,000 km, and before taking a long trip to be on a safer side. If the oil level warning light on your dashboard continues to remain ON even after topping up, contact a professional.
The frequency for changing your engine oil depends on the car’s year of manufacture, its mileage, and what engine type (petrol, direct or indirect injection diesel, diesel particulate filter) it is. Read your vehicle owner’s handbook to know when to change the oil.
It is essential to change the engine oil according to the dates or mileage indicated by the automotive manufacturer or your mechanic. Otherwise, the engine may clog or get damaged sooner, its performance will no longer be optimum, and the vehicle will waste fuel.
This operation is generally messy, so we recommend having rags by your side and wearing old clothing.
If you are finding it tough to change your engine oil by yourself, don’t hesitate to call on a professional to service your vehicle. Most garages provide oil changes!