How to check the oil level correctly
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The operation of an internal combustion engine cannot be imagined without lubrication. It not only reduces the wear of interacting parts due to friction, but also protects them from corrosion, and also removes excess heat. The quality of engine oil largely determines the resource of the power unit. But no less important is how much oil is in the lubrication system. Oil starvation can disable the engine in a matter of hours. But excess lubrication can also lead to negative consequences. Regular monitoring of the oil level will help to notice impending problems in time and prevent them. Although, in general, the verification procedure should not cause difficulties, it is useful to know some of the nuances associated with it not only for novice motorists.
How to correctly determine the oil level with a dipstick
To manually check the oil level in the lubrication system, a dipstick is used, which is a narrow long metal plate or rod with a conspicuous handle, usually orange or red.
Raising the hood and looking around the power unit, you will surely notice it. As a last resort, take a look at the owner's manual, there you will find information on the location of the dipstick and other useful information related to oil changes and level control.
Do not use a dipstick from another vehicle. They differ for different engine modifications and therefore will give incorrect readings.
For the readings to be correct, the machine must be on a flat, level surface.
The check must be done with the engine off. The motor should be warm, but not hot. Therefore, start the unit, warm it up to operating temperature and shut it off. After 5-7 minutes, you can start checking.
If you are going to check the level after a trip, then in this case you need to wait 10 minutes after stopping the engine. During this time, the grease remaining in the lines and on the walls of the unit will drain into the oil sump.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. The cloth of the rag should not be dusty or fluffy so as not to contaminate the lubricant. Pay attention to the labels (notches) showing the minimum and maximum allowable levels.
Insert the dipstick all the way into its original place and remove it again. See what level the oil reaches on the rod. Normally, the level should be between the maximum and minimum marks, but it is best if it is 50 ... 70% higher than the lower mark.
If in doubt, repeat the operation.
Checking the level of control devices
To control the amount of oil in the lubrication system in modern cars, there is usually a special sensor.
Depending on the position of the float, a corresponding signal is displayed on the display. In other versions, the sensor is simply triggered when the oil level drops below a certain threshold level, and then a warning appears on the dashboard. On many car models, this triggers the engine start blocking.
If the indicator shows a low oil level, you should manually check it with a dipstick as soon as possible and take appropriate measures. It must be borne in mind that the sensor can also fail, in which case the readings on the dashboard will be inaccurate. Therefore, the electronic sensor should be considered only as an auxiliary tool for operational control while driving. Its presence in no way replaces the need for periodic manual checks.
If the electronic sensor fails, it should be replaced along with the O-ring. The replacement procedure is unlikely to cause difficulties even for novice motorists. Just remember to first remove the negative wire from the battery, and after installing a new sensor, return it to its place.
If the oil is low
When there is too little lubrication, the motor will operate in oil starvation conditions. Due to dry friction, parts will wear out at an accelerated rate. If nothing is done, then any engine can be ruined very quickly.
The amount of oil in the system may gradually decrease due to natural waste during engine operation. For most powertrains, normal oil consumption does not exceed 300 ml per thousand kilometers. For some types of engines - atmospheric, turbocharged or forced - this figure may be higher. Diesel engines normally consume about a liter of oil per thousand kilometers. If there is no excess consumption of lubricant, then there is no particular reason for concern, you just need to regularly monitor its level and top up on time.
Otherwise, there is probably leakage through damaged seals and seals or losses in the oil lines. If you cannot find and eliminate the cause yourself, add oil to the norm and go to a car service.
How to top up
You can only add oil of the same type that was originally filled (mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic). And even better if it is a product of the same brand and the same manufacturer. If it is not possible to find out the type of oil filled, it is better to completely replace it. Adding what is at hand, with the risk of mixing different types of lubricants, is only possible in exceptional cases when there is no other way out. Remember that additives contained in different types and brands of oil may not be compatible with each other. And then a complete replacement of the lubricant will be inevitable. To prevent this problem from arising in the future, immediately buy not only one portion for refilling, but also a spare canister of the same brand.
The recommended grade and viscosity of the lubricant can be found in the vehicle's service documentation. Often these data are also indicated on the oil filler cap or next to it. The cap is often labeled "Oil Fill", "Engine Oil" or something similar.
You can read about how to choose engine oil for an engine.
It should be added little by little, 100 ... 200 milliliters, by unscrewing the cap and inserting a funnel into the oil filler neck. After each addition, check the level in accordance with the rules described above.
At the end of the procedure, wipe the neck with a clean rag and tighten the plug tightly.
If the level is above the maximum mark
Many motorists are convinced that nothing bad will happen if the lubrication system is filled more than the specified maximum. But they are wrong. It is completely wrong to transfer the saying “you can’t spoil porridge with butter” to a car engine.
A small excess of lubricant (within 200 ml) will not cause much harm. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that overflow leads to an increase in pressure in the lubrication system, which can damage rubber and plastic seals, seals, and gaskets. Damage to them will cause oil leakage. This phenomenon most often occurs in winter during a cold start of the engine, when cold oil has an increased viscosity, which means that the pressure in the system is significantly higher than usual.
In addition, an excess of lubrication will significantly impede the operation of the oil pump. And if it fails, its replacement will cost you quite a lot.
If the excess volume is about half a liter or more, it is possible that oil may get into the intake and exhaust manifolds. The result will be clogging and failure of the turbine, catalytic converter, and other parts. And then you are guaranteed expensive repairs.
In some cases, it is even possible to ignite the engine and completely destroy it. This happens with some modern cars that do not have a dipstick to manually check the level and therefore there is a risk of putting much more lubricant into the system than required.
Overflow usually occurs when the old grease is not completely drained. Therefore, be patient when draining used oil, and if the replacement is done at a service station, require the use of vacuum pumping of residues.
How to get rid of excess
Excess grease can be pumped out with a syringe with a tube of suitable diameter and length, or drained from the oil filter (it contains about 200 ml of oil). Some recommend simply replacing the filter with the remaining oil in it. This method is quite appropriate if the oil filter resource has already been exhausted or is close to that. It is somewhat more difficult to pour the excess through the drain hole in the bottom of the crankcase, this will require an inspection hole, overpass or lift.
You need to drain in small portions and check the level obtained each time.
What does an increase in oil level mean?
High levels can be not only the result of overflow. If you notice that the amount of oil has increased significantly, then you have a serious reason for concern.
If you removed excess oil, but after a while the level rises again, fuel may be entering the lubrication system. The oil may smell like gasoline or diesel fuel. Diluted oil loses its properties and becomes unusable. A simple replacement will not help in this case. Check the fuel pump diaphragm, it may be damaged. If not, then you need to urgently go to a car service and find out the reason.
In addition, it can penetrate into the lubrication system. This will be indicated by the appearance of a sour cream-like emulsion on the dipstick and the oil filler cap from the inside, as well as oily spots in the expansion tank of the cooling system. It is possible that either a crack has occurred in the cylinder block or head, and the working fluids are mixing. In this case, it is also useless to change the oil without eliminating the fault. And this must be done urgently.
How often should you manually check the oil level?
Recommendations for inspection frequency may vary among different car manufacturers. But in general, the oil level should be checked every thousand kilometers, but at least twice a month. This frequency should be adhered to, even if the machine has not been used, because there is always the possibility of oil leakage or penetration into the lubrication or fuel system.
If the machine is old, check the oil level and its quality more often.
In some cases, extraordinary checks are necessary:
- if a long trip is ahead;
- if fuel consumption has increased;
- if the coolant level has dropped;
- if after parking on the road there are traces of oil;
- if the on-board computer signals a decrease in oil pressure;
- if the exhaust gases have an unusual color or smell.
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