I was super excited when I saw that
Gumtree actually has a DIY maintenance help portal.
Simply because it allows me as a woman to be inform and know exactly what to do
when my car needs some extra TLC. The Auto help portal has tons of helpful
information about the mere basic things that a woman or men for that matter
should be able to identify in her/his car such as “How to check tyre pressure?”Or
even “how to check your oil”?
So my husband is a Qualified Motor Mechanic and he usually
checks my car and ensures that everything is working as it should, but I’m not going
to lie there are some times where I wish I kind of knew how to do the basic things
myself and identify an issue before it becomes a major problem. Let me tell you
a little story that actually happened to me not too long ago. On a Friday night my girl friends and
I had decided to go out and paint the town red. I picked up a few of my friends
with my car and as we were driving out of the blue a “red light” started
flickering on my dash that I’ve never seen before. It flickered and after a few
minutes it actually went off. I didn’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, so I decided
not call my husband and ask what the light meant but decided to continue on our
evening’s excursion. We had a lovely supper and I dropped each girl off again and
as I drove home the light came back on again.
I was far from a garage and closer to home so I just
continued to drive on. I got home and told my husband what had happened and
immediately he told me, are you sure it wasn’t the oil light? I just shrugged my
arms up and replied I don’t know?
Hubby checked my car the morning after and advised that
I had actually driven my car without any oil & it had caused major damage
to my engine. My entire engine had to be redone and needless to say I was
without a car for about 3 months and my pockets were empty ($) Ka-ching!. I
would have saved myself a lot of hassle & money if I had known how to check
my oil?
On this Gumtree Auto Help Portal it shows you step by
step what you need to know on array of different motoring topics from the most
basic to the most intricate questions, Ill share the article I should have read a
How to check your oil:The engine of a car contains many moving parts, all of which require
lubrication to work as they should. Without the proper amount of lubrication,
the parts rub together causing friction, which eventually leads to wear. Motor
oil provides the engine with the lubrication it needs to keep all components
operating smoothly. It also keeps the engine clean, free from dirt build-up and
prevents overheating. Checking the motor oil on a regular basis ensures the
engine continues running at an optimal level and that you get the most out of
the vehicle. With a few tips, checking a car's oil is quick and easy, even if
you are not an experienced mechanic.
Locate the Dipstick:Before beginning, park the vehicle in a spot where it is
sitting on level ground and make sure that the engine is cold. Checking the oil
when the car is hot can result in serious burns. With the engine off, open the
bonnet and make sure it is securely propped open. Locate the oil dipstick. This
is often marked with a bright-coloured handle.
Read the Dipstick: Taking a rag or
cloth, wipe any oil off the end of the dipstick. Put the dipstick back into the
engine completely. Pull it back out and look at both sides to determine where
the oil level is. All dipsticks have some type of indicator such as
"min", "max", "L", "H" or
"Add." If you are uncertain about what your exact dipstick indicates,
refer to your vehicle's owner's manual.
Avoid Overfilling: If the level is at the right
spot on the dipstick, avoid adding more oil. Overfilling the engine can cause
damage if the oil begins to seep out into other parts. If the oil looks clean,
you can insert the dipstick, make sure it is tight and close the bonnet.
Learn Oil Types: If the level
is below the minimum mark, add oil. To add oil, use the grade recommended for
your vehicle. Vehicle manufacturer's often recommend a range of viscosities
that work for the exact vehicle. This information is located in the owner's
manual. There are also different types and learning a bit about these oils comes
in handy when you have to top off your vehicle. Conventional motor oil comes
from crude oil and it is made with petroleum products. This type is suitable
for older cars, or ones that have frequent oil changes as it breaks down
quicker than the other types. Synthetic motor oil contains a synthetic base and
other manmade chemicals. This type is usually recommended for high-tech
engines, but it can extend the life of any engine since it offers
longer-lasting performance. A synthetic blend is also available and this is
made up of both natural and manmade materials. Synthetic blends are designed
for engines under heavy loads, or ones that tend to run in high-temperature
areas. Another option is a high-mileage oil, which contains seal conditioners.
High-mileage oil is beneficial to vehicles that have been driven a great deal.
Add Oil: If the level of oil is
severely low, avoid driving the vehicle until you can add more. Driving on
dangerously low levels can cause irreversible engine damage. When adding motor
oil, it should be done slowly to prevent overfilling. Remove the filler cap
from the top of the engine and add a half a litre using a funnel to prevent
spills. Wait a few minutes and check the dipstick again. If the level is still
below the minimum indicator, add another half of a litre. Continue doing this
until the level is accurate. After the dipstick shows that the oil is at the
correct level, place the filler cap back on making sure you tighten it to
prevent it from coming off or loose.
Changing the Oil: Unless the car is burning or
leaking oil, it is unusual for a car to need the oil refilled on a regular
basis. This does not mean that you should not check it regularly. If you find
yourself constantly topping the oil off, have the car looked at by an experienced
mechanic to determine the issue. Along with checking it on a regular basis,
many manufacturer recommend oil changes every 8 000 km to 10 000 km. If the oil
appears dirty or contaminated, a change is needed sooner.
Healthy Oil: When checking the oil, it
should be a dark brown or black colour. If it is not, this indicates a
potential problem. Oil that has a light or milky appearance can have coolant
mixed in. This often results from the coolant leaking directly into the engine.
If not repaired, this can cause severe engine damage. If the oil appears to
have metal particles in it, this can be a sign that there is internal engine
damage.
Since oil is an essential part
of maintaining the engine, checking it periodically is vital. While there is
not set schedule for checking the oil, you should do it more frequently on
older vehicles. Doing a proper check just takes minutes and does not require
the use of any tools. Checking the oil and maintaining a proper level can keep
the engine healthy and extend the life of it.
