Avoid These Costly Mistakes When Checking Engine Oil
Engine oil is important in ensuring your vehicle functions properly. Inspecting your vehicle’s engine oil regularly is one of the simplest yet effective care tasks. Understanding the proper techniques and avoiding issues like wrong oil level readings, dipstick errors, and overfilled engine oil can help you maintain your engine’s health and performance.
Here we will explore mistakes in checking engine oil and how to avoid them, ensuring you get the correct readings every time. . For added guidance, consider these essential driver tips to ensure you check your engine oil correctly and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Why Checking Engine Oil is Important?
Engine oil smoothens moving parts, minimising friction, and helping regulate engine temperature. Driving with low or excessive oil levels can lead to severe damage, reduced efficiency, and shortened engine lifespan. Though checking oil seems easy, even the smallest distraction can lead to a wrong oil level reading or overfilling, which is unsafe for the vehicle.
Warning Indications Your Engine Oil Needs Attention
Even if your engine oil level appears correct, your engine may still be in danger. Look out for warning signs that something is wrong, like strange engine noise. Excessive smoke can lead to oil burning or leaks, while a dashboard oil pressure light indicates immediate action is required. You may also notice a drop in performance or overheating. These symptoms often start from improper maintenance, including overfilled engine oil or dipstick errors. It is important to stay alert to these indications to ensure you find out problems early and avoid expensive repairs.
Regular Mistakes in Checking Engine Oil
Here are some of the common mistakes vehicle owners make when they are checking the oil:
Using the Wrong Dipstick
If your car has had engine modifications or you are using an incorrect dipstick for your vehicle model, the reading may not be accurate. It is advisable to use the manufacturer-specified dipstick for accurate readings.
Checking When Vehicle is Not on Straight Surface
When you test the oil level, your car needs to be kept on a flat surface. It gives an incorrect oil reading every time if it is on an inclined surface.
Overfilled Engine Oil
Don’t top up if you find the reading very low, without verifying the exact level. Too much oil can damage the parts and cause them to lose. It is always better to add small quantities first and then recheck.
Failing to Clean the Dipstick
This is one of the most common dipstick errors. Remaining oil splashed onto the dipstick during operation can clog it and cause a wrong reading. Always wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth before inserting it again.
Not Allowing Engine to Cool Down
Checking the oil level when the engine is still hot can be dangerous and lead to incorrect readings. The oil level raises when heated, which may cause you to overestimate it. So, it is better to wait for 15 minutes after shutting off the engine to let the oil settle back into its original position.
What are the Risks Involved in Wrong Oil Level Reading?
- If the wrong reading shows a low level, it can sometimes lead to engine wear, overheating and even seizure.
- If it is too high, it can cause foaming, poor lubrication and seal leaks.
Oil levels in both extremes can damage your engine, causing you to spend a huge amount on repairs. Accurate readings and correct oil levels protect your car and save you from unnecessary problems.
Choose Mobile Home Car Services for Exceptional Care
At Mobile Home Car Services, we understand how important proper maintenance is to keep your vehicle functioning without problems. Our well-equipped advanced workstation offers professional car servicing, logbook servicing, repairs and inspections to ensure your car is at its best condition.
Our team is experienced in identifying and fixing the issues from 1984 at the highest quality. We fix errors like wrong oil level reading, overfilled engine oil, and other mistakes in checking engine oil that can affect your engine’s performance. If you are looking for regular servicing or expert advice, we are here to help you in every possible way without compromising quality and well within your budget.
Call us today or schedule a service with our experienced team to give the highest level of care your vehicle deserves!
