How To Check Engine Oil level Of Your Car Correctly

Most modern day cars come with an engine oil replacement interval of 10,000km or more. However, due to increasing traffic and lowering average speeds, an engine tends to run for a longer duration which can increase oil consumption, especially in older cars. Low engine oil level can be harmful to the internal parts of the engine. It can further lead to complete breakdown of the car and if that happens you can

sell your old car or even scrap car to us at CARS24

. Just kidding! Low engine oil won't be such a killer however it is recommended to check the oil level every few weeks. Here is how to check engine oil level of your car correctly:

1. Let your engine cool down

The oil level should never be checked if the engine is hot. Let it cool down for at least ten minutes so that all oil from various parts of the engine collects in the lower oil pan. This also helps the oil temperature to come down to an extent. However, do check your car’s owner manual carefully in this regard as some car manufacturers do not suggest checking the oil level on a cold engine.

2. Park the car on a levelled ground

Make sure the car is parked on a levelled ground. Avoid a ramp or an uneven patch of the road as a tilt in the car's position can display the wrong level of engine oil.

3. Take out the yellow dipstick from the engine compartment

Open the bonnet and look for the yellow colored dipstick cap which is usually in the center of the engine compartment. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean piece of cloth. Make sure the cloth is not soiled and does not have any moisture or dirt on it as these are harmful to the internals of the engine.

4. Put it back and take it out again to notice the oil mark

Once you wipe it clean, insert the dipstick back completely. Wait for a second and pull it out. Notice the oil mark - it should ideally be between the minimum and maximum markings. The dip-stick usually has L / H (low / high) or Min / Max (minimum / maximum) readings on it.

If the level is low, do top up the engine oil. Be careful to use the same grade oil so as to avoid any harm to the engine parts. Never top up the oil over the recommended level.

5. Top up the engine oil and repeat the process

Topping up the oil can be done via the oil filler cap which is also located near the dipstick cap. Be careful while topping up the oil and do not spill it over other parts of the engine. Give a gap of a few seconds before checking the oil level again as oil takes time settling down due to its high viscosity.

Checking the engine oil level once every few weeks or before you undertake a long journey will hardly take a minute or so. However, this precautionary measure can save you from extreme engine damage that can also lead to high maintenance costs.

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