How to check and change your engine oil
Why do you need to check and top up your engine oil?
Oil ensures your engine is properly lubricated, allowing pistons to slide smoothly within their respective engine cylinders, hundreds of times per second. Without this lubrication, the friction between the metal parts would seriously damage the engine in just a few minutes.
What’s more, oil also continuously releases impurities contained in the engine circuit. This means it eventually becomes loaded with too many micro-residues, altering its original physical properties, impacting its viscosity and ultimately, its efficiency. In addition, oil is inevitably lost over time as high engine temperatures consistently burn off small amounts of oil – and as we know, less oil means less lubrication.
How to check and top up your oil
It’s important to check your motor oil level at regularly.
How to check oil level:
Before starting, make sure the vehicle is on level ground and, for safety, make sure the engine is off and has been allowed to cool.
- Open the bonnet, remove the dipstick and wipe with a clean dry cloth.
- Reinsert the dipstick as far as it will go without forcing it. If it gets stuck at any point, remove the dipstick, wipe clear again and reinsert.
- Remove the dipstick and view where the oil has reached on the dipstick; this should fall within the minimum and maximum marks.
To top up:
- Unscrew the oil filler cap, (found near the dipstick often withan oil can is drawn on the cap).
- Carefully pour in the new oil.
- After each top up, check the oil level on the dipstick until you reach the maximum mark. Do not allow the oil level to go higher than this mark.
- Screw the cap back on the oil tank and reinsert the dipstick.
Check your oil level roughly every 2,000 m, and always before you embark on long trips. If the oil level warning light on your dashboard remains lit after topping up, contact a specialist.
How to change engine oil
It is essential to change the motor oil according to the dates or mileage indicated by your vehicle manufacturer or mechanic. Otherwise, the engine may clog or become damaged sooner, performance will be sub-optimal, and the fuel efficiency will be poorer.
The frequency you should change motor oil depends on the vehicle’s age, mileage and engine type (petrol, direct or indirect injection diesel, diesel particulate filter). Always check the vehicle handbook for exact .
To change your motor oil:
This operation is generally quite messy, so we recommend having rags to hand and appropriate clothing.
- Again, make sure the vehicle is cool and parked on a level surface.
- Open the bonnet and remove the dipstick and the oil filler cap.
- Position your drain pan beneath the oil drain plug located on the engine block.
- Unscrew the oil drain plug and allow the oil to drain.
- Once empty, wipe the oil drain plug, replace the gasket and screw the plug back on, using a spanner if necessary.
Next, change the oil filter: Unscrew the old filter with an oil filter wrench and install the new one.
- Remove the pan beneath your vehicle and collect the used oil in a sealed container in order for disposal – pouring used motor oil into the sewer system is strictly prohibited.
- Make sure that the oil drain plug is properly screwed in place.
- Wait a few minutes to allow the oil to circulate through the engine.
- Check the oil level, and top up if needed.
- Screw the oil filler cap back on, start the engine and let it run for about two minutes to give the oil time to flow uniformly through the engine.
- Let the engine cool, and check that the oil level is below the maximum marker.
If you can’t change your motor oil by yourself, don’t hesitate to use a qualified professional.
