Oil is an essential component for keeping your engine running smoothly. It reduces the friction and maintaining proper oil levels can prevent many vehicle problems. You should check the oil level of your vehicle once per month to make sure that there is enough oil present and that it is not contaminated. If the oil in vehicle is visibly dirty or smells like gasoline, it’s probably time to replace it. You should also be checking the level of oil with your car’s dipstick. The process for testing your oil level and quality is very simple.
- Remove the dipstick and wipe it on a clean rag. Make sure your vehicle has been off for at least ten minutes before you check the oil. This will ensure that the engine is cold. The location of your oil dipstick depends on what type of engine you have. If you have a rear-wheel drive engine, it will probably be somewhere near the engine around the middle of the area under your hood. If you have a front-wheel drive engine, the dip stick will probably be located somewhere near the front of the area under the hood. If you’re having trouble finding the dip stick, check your vehicle’s owners manual.
- Insert the dipstick back into the pipe. If you are unable to insert the stick the entire way in, rotate it. The pipe is curved so the stick might not be able to fit if came out the opposite way.
- Take the dipstick out again and look at the oil left on the end. The level of the oil will probably fall somewhere between “Add” and “Full”. If the level is full, or close to full, you don’t have to worry about adding any oil. If the level is at or near the add line, you should add some oil to the tank. You don’t have to add it to the same tube you used the dipstick in. There should be a screw-off cap somewhere on your engine that may even be labeled as “Oil Cap”. It may even tell you what grade of oil you should be using in the engine. Unscrew this cap and add as much oil as needed.
- Test the quality of the oil. It can be difficult to tell if oil is dirty based purely on color. Oil turns black quickly and this may not always be a sign that it needs replacing. Try rubbing a small amount between your fingers. If the oil leaves a smudge of dirt on your fingers, it probably needs to be changed.
If you’ve noticed your oil level is low or your oil is dirty, you can contact the professionals at Peruzzi Mitsubishi to help you replace your oil or add oil to your tank. You can also stop by our Mitsubishi service center and we can perform both of these tests for you as part of our preventative car maintenance and inspection. We can also check for other problems and take care of any problems as needed such as replacing oil filters, brake repair, engine diagnostic services, and much more. If you have any questions about our vehicle service, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 855-210-2919. You can also visit our service center at 49 Spencer Ave in Fairless Hills, PA. Schedule service at your local Trenton, NJ and Levittown, PA area vehicle service center today!
