The majority of modern-day cars come with an engine oil replacement interval of 10,000km or more than that. However, due to lowering average speeds and increasing traffic, and engine tends to run for a long time which can increase oil consumption, especially in older cars. Low engine oil level can be harmful to the parts that are inside the engine. It can further lead to a complete breakdown of the car and if that happens any time you can sell your old car. Just joking! Low engine oil won't be such a damaging aspect however it is suggested to check the oil level every few weeks.
Listed below are the tips on how you can check the engine oil level of your car correctly:
Let your engine cool down
The oil level should never be determined if the engine is hot. Let it cool down for about ten minutes so that oil from different parts of the engine gathers in the lower oil pan. This also assists 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 recommend checking the oil level on a cold engine. Also, if you see some damage to your engine, then don't worry because motor insurance in India will save you from paying the expenses
Park the car on a leveled ground
Ensure the car is parked on a leveled ground. Avoid a ramp or an uneven patch of the road as a tilt in the car's position can present the wrong level of engine oil.
Take out the yellow dipstick from the engine compartment
Open the bonnet and search for the yellow-colored dipstick cap which is generally in the center of the engine compartment. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a clean piece of cloth. Ensure the cloth is not soiled and it does not have any dirt or moisture on it as these are harmful to the internals of the engine.
Put it back and take it out again to check the oil mark
Once you have cleaned it, insert the dipstick back properly. Wait for a second and then pull it out. Notice the oil mark, it should be between the minimum and maximum markings. If the level is low, then fill the engine oil. Be careful to use the same type of oil so as to avoid any harm to the engine parts. Never top up the oil over the suggested level.
Top up the engine oil and repeat the method
Topping up the oil can be done through an oil filler cap which is also located near the dipstick cap. Be careful while topping up the oil and do not throw it over the other parts of the engine. Give a gap for a few seconds before checking the oil level as oil takes some time settling down to its high viscosity.
Checking the engine oil is as important as car insurance renewal. However, this precautionary mentioned above can save you from extreme engine damage that can also lead to high maintenance costs.
