However, the trouble with mixing new and old oil is the new oil can become contaminated in the process or allow impurities to continue building in your engine. Additionally, while engine oil can degrade over time, typically your oil level shouldn't drop much between oil changes.
If topping up your oil has become a continuous habit, you may be ignoring serious issues, such as:. In contrast, the oil is fully drained during an oil change and both the oil and the oil filter are replaced. To answer this question, start by checking the oil. Make sure your engine is cool, remove the engine oil dipstick there may be more than 1 dipstick under the hood and it may even be located as part of the oil filler cap , and wipe it down with a clean cloth. Then, push the dipstick all the way in, wait a few seconds, and withdraw the stick to examine the oil level, smell, and color.
The level will tell you how much oil your car has, while the smell and color of the oil may help identify whether your oil is contaminated. If the oil smells sweet or like fuel, visit your local service center.
Every dipstick has an indicator of the proper oil level. If the top of your oil streak falls below the minimum mark, more oil may be needed. Topping up your oil is typically not recommended unless the level is below the minimum mark. If you're running low on oil, however, topping off may help you get to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for an oil change service.
To add oil, turn your vehicle off and wait for the engine to cool. Remove the oil filler cap, and slowly pour in a bit at a time. Overfilling can cause problems for your engine, so start by adding small amounts at a time and checking the oil level frequently while filling. What if oil level is high:. These potential issues may include: Water from combustion.
Condensed Fuel. Coolant leaking into engine Milky Look Accidental Overfilling. If oil dipstick is dark:. New oil will bead up due to interfacial tension. What happens if you go too long without oil change? Okay, I'll Schedule an oil change! When does MY vehicle need its oil changed? All in all Tags: Auto Services Oil Change.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed , times. The oil that runs through your vehicle's engine helps cool down all of its moving parts. You can save yourself a couple of bucks by changing the oil in your car yourself. While all vehicles are a little different, adding oil is something anyone can do with a little eye for detail and a willingness to get dirty.
Adding oil, however, is not a substitute for getting your oil changed. Unscrew the cap, then check the dipstick to determine how much oil you need to add. Usually, the distance between the bottom of the stick and the top is equal to 1 quart of oil, so estimate based on that.
Add the oil to the reservoir slowly, checking the dipstick periodically, then close the oil fill cap. Keep reading for tips from our mechanic reviewer on how to choose the right oil for your car! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.
Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Things You'll Need. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Check the oil after the car has rested for 5 minutes.
If you check the oil right after turning the car off you will get an inaccurate reading, as some of the oil will still be at the top of the engine. Keep the car on a level, even surface as well to make sure you aren't checking the oil on a slant. Check your owner's manual if there is any doubt. Pop the hood of the car. Usually you need to pull a small lever or press a button near the driver's seat to unlock the hood.
From there, run your hand between the hood and the body of the car until you find a small lever, usually in the middle of the hood, and press it inward to completely free the hood. Locate the car's dipstick. This small, usually yellow cap with a loop is often labeled "Engine Oil," but even if it is not it is not difficult to find.
The dipstick is a long piece of metal that extends down a tube to the oil pan, telling you, based on how high the oil line is, how much oil is in the engine. It is nearly close to the front of the car, and has a brightly colored circular or hook-shaped handle that you can use to pull out the stick without touching any oil.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it down with a dry cloth. Oil from the engine will spurt up on the dipstick when the car is running, meaning you should clean it and reinsert it to get an accurate reading. Note the marks near the middle or bottom of the stick, often dots, lines, cross-hatched squares, or bends in the stick. The highest mark is the "Full Line," and your oil should be somewhere between the two lines.
Reinsert the dipstick and pull it out to check your oil. This time you should note where the oil is on the stick.
It should be closer to the top mark than the bottom, usually as close as you can get it. However, unless the level is at or below the minimum mark you do not need to add more oil. Understand the appearance of the dipstick.
Is the oil black, brown, or clear? Is the dipstick itself clean, or mottled and dark? Oil may start out light tan, but it will always darken with use as the engine runs, collecting impurities from the combustion cycle and from getting hot.
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