Engine oil is a substance comprising of base oils which are enhanced with anti-wear additive plus detergents, dispersants and, for multi-grade oils viscosity index improvers. Engine oil is used for the lubrication of internal combustion engines and proper oil care is essential.
First and foremost, make sure you know which light on the dashboard is your oil warning light. Any red warning light coming on your dashboard means you should stop (safely) as soon as you can and get help. If you’re not sure what to do, refer to your handbook on what to do when your warning lights come on.
If your oil warning light does turn red, it doesn’t just mean your oil is low. It means there is no pressure in the engine because oil is leaking out. In this instance, stop (safely) and call a pro!
Even if your warning light hasn’t come on, you should still check your oil levels frequently. When doing so, do it on a flat surface and make sure to give it a few minutes to drain and settle in the engine. Once the oil has settled you;
- Identify the dipstick/oil level indicator
- Pull the oil level indicator out
- Wipe it clean
- Put it back in
- Remove the indicator again
- Check the level against the minimum and maximum markers
Simple! And it doesn’t take long to do. So next time you have a spare few minutes, check your oil.
