Why Do I Need to Check My Oil?

Oil Change Fresno is a vital part of your engine and keeps its components in good shape. It’s vital to have enough oil and that the oil that is in the engine isn’t contaminated. Engine oil keeps the parts inside of your engine from rubbing directly together and creating friction, which can break the entire component down very quickly. Not enough oil or dirty oil can be a serious engine-killer.

When to Check Your Oil

Engine oil is so important to keep tabs on when performing car maintenance. You should check your engine oil at least once per month. Preferably, you should check your oil even more often, preferably once every two weeks.

We recommended this frequency because if your engine is burning oil or possibly losing it through a tank leak, you will need to know as soon as possible so the proper repairs can be made.

Luckily, it only takes a few minutes to thoroughly check your car’s oil levels. The process doesn’t require any special tools and is a very simple process.

How to Check Your Oil, Step by Step

To check your vehicle’s oil, follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Park your car on a level, even ground. This ensures that you’ll get a more accurate reading during your oil check.
2. Make sure that you check your engine oil at the right temperature. Your engine oil should be relatively cool when you’re checking it so that you do not burn yourself. However, some manufacturers of certain vehicles will recommend that you check your oil when the engine is still warm. To be 100% sure, check your car’s owner’s manual to ensure you’re making the right move.
3. Only check your oil when your car is off. Your car should always be completely shut off before you begin checking your oil, no matter if it is warm or cool.
4. Locate your engine oil tank. Depending on the make and model of your car, this tank can look different and be placed in different areas of your car. Generally, it will be labeled on the cap as “ENGINE OIL” or will feature an icon of an oil tin.
5. Pull the dipstick out of your engine and clean it. Find your engine’s dipstick, which will often be inside or near the cap, and pull it out. Do NOT judge your oil levels by what you see. When you first pull your dipstick, you will gently but thoroughly clean it with a dry, clean, soft cloth. This will remove any oil that may be stuck to the dipstick tip.
6. Place the dipstick back into the tank compartment. Push it all the way back down.
7. Remove the dipstick. Remove the dipstick from its compartment and note how much of the metal rod is covered with oil. Keep in mind that not all vehicles will have the same exact dipstick. Many will have different ways of indicating where your oil level needs to be. For example, Some dipsticks will have marks on the stick labeled “low”, “high”, “L”, “H”, “MIN”, or “MAX.”
8. If your oil levels are within the levels that are recommended on your dipstick, then your car’s oil levels are fine for the time being. Ensure that you continue to check your engine oil every 2-4 weeks to keep it in good shape.
9. Note the condition of your oil, not just the levels. Even if your engine oil levels are good, the condition of the oil itself may not be. In general, normal used motor oil will be black or brownish but free of chunks of debris. If there are pieces of debris in your oil, particularly metal fragments, then your engine could be damaged. Just as well, engine oil that looks milky or cloudy could be the result of an antifreeze leak, which will also require immediate attention.

Are you in need of an Oil Change Fresno? Get in touch with Fresno Mazda today to have an appointment set up. We’re proud to offer the best possible service to our customers and want to help you get your car on the road today!