How to Test Motor Oil
Regular checking of your motor oil is essential to proper car maintenance. If you don't keep the proper level of oil in your car, the engine is put under unwanted stress, which may cause long-term engine damage.
It is highly recommended to check your oil twice a month to see if you need to add more oil for better engine performance. After checking your car's motor oil, always wash your hands with soap and water.
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Instructions
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Park your car and turn off the engine. Depending on your car's specifications and the type of oil used for the car, you may be required to have your engine warm (a car that was just turned off) or cold (a car that hasn't been running for quite a while) prior to testing your motor oil.
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Open your car's hood. Depending on your height, you may or may not need a stool or step ladder to check your motor oil. Look for your motor oil's dipstick. This is a long stick that is usually brightly colored and is located near the middle of the engine. It typically has a loop at one end.
If you're still not familiar with your motor oil's dipstick and reservoir location, it is best to check your owner's manual. If you don't have access to the manual, just look around the opened hood until you find a mark indicating "Oil" or possibly a photo of an oil can. This usually comes with texts describing the type of oil to use for the car as well.
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Pull out the loop to draw the rod or dipstick all the way out. Wipe it with a clean cloth, paper towel or shop rag to assure an accurate reading.
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Dip the clean dipstick back into the oil. Push it all the way in.
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Pull back the dipstick and see how much oil you need, if any. If you dip the stick and you notice it is dry and there is no oil around it, put in new oil to keep your car running properly. The dipstick also has an indicator line so you can determine if you still have enough oil. Most dipsticks have two lines and the oil level must be halfway between the two lines.
Ideally, if it's below the line marked "full," you must add a small amount of oil, then check back if you have enough oil already. It is better to add in small amounts, then add more oil several times, according to what the dipstick indicates, than putting too much and causing the oil to overflow.
If you need to insert oil, twist off the top of the knob or oil filler cap with the oil can mark or the words or photo referring to the oil can reservoir. This is typically about three inches in diameter and is located at top of the engine.
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Put the oil filler cap back. Make sure you secure it tightly before closing the hood.
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References
- Photo Credit motor image by Petr Efremov from Fotolia.com
