How To Check your engine oil levels
Oil lubricates and cools your engine; without enough oil of good quality, your engine will fail. Letting it get low or stale is asking for trouble, so regular oil checks are routine for any motorist who knows what they are doing. Monthly is a sensible routine, and before and after long journeys.
If your vehicle is going for an MOT and you turn up with low oil, you should expect to be turned away and forfeit your fee. The emissions test cannot be conducted without enough oil; conversely, you do not want an emissions test if you have over-filled it.
Where is it?
Your access point to the oil is usually easy to find. There may be a cap that says 'oil' and a handle close by that pulls out the dipstick. If you have an automatic, do not confuse the engine oil with the differential oil, which looks similar in some cars. If in any doubt, consult a manual or mechanic.
In a front-wheel drive, the oil dipstick is usually near the front; in rear-wheel drives, it is often at the back. A handful of cars have no dipstick; in this case, you will need the manual to tell you what to do.
How to check
Your engine should be cold. If you have been driving, let it rest for at least ten minutes. There are a small number of models for which the manuals recommend checking the oil while the vehicle is still warm, before the oil can settle. Ford got the strange notion that most drivers would check their oil after running their car, so recalibrated the dipsticks; fortunately, it came to its senses. We recommend you test cold unless told otherwise by your manual. Some dipsticks have marks for both hot and cold testing.
Raise the dipstick and inspect it. You will see marks for maximum and minimum levels and the current level of oil up the stick. The marks may just be crosshatching or may be labelled L and H for low and high. If you can't clearly see the oil level, wipe it with a rag, reinsert and repeat.
Only add oil if you are close to minimum or lower. If you overfill, it will cause smoke and oil splutter from your exhaust.
Also assess its quality. Oil is brown when added. Black oil is not necessarily bad - be more concerned if there are dirty particles in it and it is no longer the right consistency. If you need to add oil, locate the filling cap. A funnel is sensible, as spilled oil will cause both fumes and fire risk.
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Types of oil
It is not a ploy to get you to buy a specific brand; instead, using the oil recommended for your vehicle is important for its performance and wellbeing. The right type may even be written on the oil cap. If not, check the manual or a motoring shop.
Designations such as 10W20 or 5W30 refer to the viscosity; if it looks more like 80W90, you probably bought gear oil! There are often choices of oil for better performance, mileage or emissions.
If any of these steps prove difficult, a quick visit to any Protyre garage will solve your problem cheaply and safely.
Choosing the Right Tyre Made Easy
When it comes to your car's safety and performance, tyres can play a huge role. That's why we've put together a collection of helpful articles to guide you through the process of selecting the perfect tyres for your ride and maintaining your vehicle in general.
If you're looking for a smoother, more luxurious driving experience, premium car tyres might be the way to go. Or, if you want added security against flats, run flat car tyres could be your best bet. Trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres? We've got you covered there, too.
We also dive into the world of tyre brands, comparing top manufacturers like BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres.
But we don't just stop at helping you choose the right tyres – we also share tips on how to keep them in tip-top shape. From checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres properly inflated to extending their life through regular rotation and balancing, our articles have got you covered.
So, whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, our car help and advice articles are here to help you make informed decisions about your tyres. Check them out and feel confident in your tyre choices!