One of the driver's duties, as stated in the owner's manual, is to monitor the engine oil level. What to do if the level has dropped below the minimum: how urgent is it to top up, which one? The answers to these and other frequently asked questions are in our article.
The correct oil level is essential for the most effective protection of parts against wear. To control the level in the engines, a dipstick is provided, which is easily accessible from the engine compartment. The check is carried out visually. Min and Max are marked on the dipstick (usually the space between them is marked with a plastic nozzle, corrugation or other means). On the removed dipstick, the oil should be between these marks.
On relatively new cars, the oil level is always within acceptable limits. There is no need to refill it: you just need to call in to the service for a timely replacement. Specialists of the Favorit Motors Group of Companies remind that each vehicle has its own frequency: for example, for European models with gasoline engines it is 15,000 km or (under severe operating conditions of the car) 10,000 km. The exact service interval can be found in the instruction manual. The need for replacement is due to the fact that the oil loses its properties: the additives use up the resource, the smallest wear products accumulate, which the filter cannot detain. Even if you rarely drive your car, you should change the oil once a year.
"My car will tell you when to add oil."
We are used to the fact that all cars have indicators on the dashboard with a picture of an oil can or the inscription OIL. Many drivers do not bother checking the oil level, relying on the help of the on-board diagnostic system. But this is not always justified. The fact is that the same indicator indicates a problem with the oil pressure, and not its level. In simple terms, the oil pump draws oil from virtually the bottom of the sump. Accordingly, as long as it is, in principle, there will be no problems with pressure in normal modes. They can occur during sudden maneuvers, moving uphill or downhill, and only then air will enter the pump and the light will turn on. So hoping for a familiar indicator in terms of level control is wrong.
For the sake of fairness, we note that in some cars, during self-diagnosis, it is checked, including the amount of oil. This makes life much easier for the driver.
How to check the oil level correctly?
While such a check is an elementary procedure, there are several fundamentally important rules for its implementation. First, control is best done on a cold engine. In this case, all the oil is in the sump - during the trip, it is pumped over by a pump and sprayed throughout the engine. If the check is performed on a hot engine, the level may appear higher than it actually is. Secondly, it is advisable to remove the dipstick before assessing the level, wipe it, then carefully immerse it back and remove it again. Otherwise, the level is not always "read" correctly on the dipstick.
Why is the oil level dropping?
In severely worn engines, grease leaks through leaking seals. Also, oil is consumed "for waste", that is, it burns in the engine cylinders. The more worn out the oil rings on the pistons, the more oil will go away. Modern engines sometimes consume a fairly large volume and this is spelled out in the instructions: for example, for German cars, oil consumption up to 1 liter per 1000 km is considered the norm.
Adding oil to the engine: how to do it correctly?
If you see that the oil level is below normal, it must be topped up as soon as possible, otherwise the power unit will experience oil starvation and wear out intensively. Ideally, top up with the same oil that is already in your combustion engine. For those who are serviced in the dealerships of Favorit Motors Group of Companies, we advise you to look for lubricants on our website - here you can buy containers of both 1 liter and 4-5 liters.
Why is it not recommended to use other oils, even from the same manufacturer? Each oil name uses its own additives, which are not always compatible with others. As a result, after topping up, sediment, turbidity may form, viscosity may change - in a word, the oil mixture will have different characteristics.
If you are far from your service and cannot find what you are looking for, follow these rules. In mineral oil, it is permissible to add another, but on a mineral basis. Likewise with synthetics: it is better to use synthetic. Semi-synthetic oils are universal: they can be mixed with any others, as well as any other can be added to the "semi-synthetics". Try to top up the oil to the minimum allowable level, so that if possible, buy a “native” oil and fill the full volume with it.
In the most extreme case, when there is no oil, but you have to go, you can add any to any. Here we actually choose between two evils: driving without oil is much worse. When traveling, try not to load the engine unnecessarily, not to spin it up to high revs. Upon return, the resulting "engine fluid" must be replaced with normal oil, preferably with flushing.
You need to pour oil through a funnel or from the neck of the canister in portions of 200-300 grams, wait a few minutes until it reaches from the filler neck to the crankcase and only then check the level.
Is it possible to fill in engine oil "with a reserve"?
If the engine consumes engine oil quite actively, a logical question arises: is it possible to pour it “with a margin” so as not to get under the hood so often? No. With an excess of oil, it will be squeezed out through all the gaskets, in addition, there is a risk of squeezing out the crankshaft oil seals. In winter, the oil thickens, and the more it is in the engine, the more difficult it is to turn the shaft to start. Therefore, overflow is unacceptable.
Is it possible to change the oil less often with frequent topping up?
Another popular question. The logic is this: if you periodically add oil, that is, renew it, it should last longer. But it is not so. The oil accumulates products of combustion and wear of parts - not all are trapped by the oil filter. That is why the initially translucent oil darkens after the first thousand kilometers. When oil burns out or leaks through the gaskets and seals, the products of wear and combustion remain inside. You can get rid of them only by a complete oil change. If you added 1 liter of oil, and then another 1 liter, it seems to you that you have already replaced 2 liters from, say, 4. But this is not so: after all, the first liter was mixed with the "dirty" contents of the lubrication system. As a result, after adding 2 liters, it cannot be said that you have renewed half of the volume: in the best case, it will be 20-30%. Therefore, it is necessary to change the oil regardless of its quality and frequency of topping up.
Lack of oil: reasons for concern
Engine oil starvation is dangerous! The service life of the engine is reduced much faster with insufficient lubrication. It is similar to a nuclear reaction: wear products are carried by residual oil throughout the entire unit and damage parts that have not yet been touched. Add damage from dry running here and we get a sad result. If you realize that you have been driving for a long time without oil, it quickly "leaves" or noticed a strange engine sound - sign up for a diagnosis. It may be enough to replace the pallet gasket or sealant to forget about the problem. The exact cause can only be determined by a specialist.
13 May 2017Antifreeze protects the motor from overheating. But it has a limited operating time. Therefore, the question of how to properly pour antifreeze into the cooling system begins to worry many. First, you need to determine when exactly the coolant needs to be replaced. The time of its operation depends on the brand and mileage of the car, as well as the properties of the liquid itself. It should be borne in mind that in cars in which aluminum radiators and cylinder heads are supplied, the antifreeze should be changed more often. The fact that the refrigerant has become unusable is evidenced by: a change in its color to brown, turbidity, the formation of a deposit on the expansion tank.
If the coolant is not replaced on time, the additives present in it will begin to destructively affect metal parts, and heat removal from the engine will be poor. If you make a mistake when replacing the refrigerant, damage or malfunction of parts is possible. Therefore, in the case when the replacement is made independently, it is better to familiarize yourself with the information in advance on how to properly change the antifreeze. This process consists of several stages: draining the old fluid, flushing the cooling system, filling in new antifreeze. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Before changing the coolant to a new one, it is necessary to drain the old one. First of all, you need to wait until the engine has cooled down. The refrigerant is under high pressure, so its boiling point rises and it does not boil. If you start unscrewing the cap, the pressure inside the expansion tank will drop to atmospheric and the boiling point will also become lower, that is, the antifreeze will begin to boil and splash out. All this will happen very quickly and can lead to burns.
The coolant circulates through the radiator, engine and stove, which are connected to each other using pipes. Therefore, it is necessary to drain the antifreeze from all the indicated places.
Prepare containers for waste fluid in advance and place them under the radiator and engine block. It is better to cover the generator with something to protect it from getting antifreeze. We open the stove tap, very carefully unscrew the bolts at the bottom of the radiator and on the engine block. In some vehicles, access to the drain pipe is protected by a protective cover. In this case, you will need to remove it. After unscrewing the above bolts, antifreeze begins to flow out.
To speed up this process, you can open the cover on the expansion tank. When all the liquid has flowed out, go to the next stage - to flush.
Flushing the cooling system
Some motorists do not follow this procedure. This is fraught with the fact that the dirt in the cooling system will clog the radiators. This will result in poor engine cooling and poor stove performance. The need for flushing can be judged by the color of the drained antifreeze and the presence of impurities in it.
Specially designed liquids are used for flushing.... The instructions will indicate whether you need to dilute this product with water. After pouring liquid into the neck of the expansion tank, screw the cap on it and turn on the engine.
Next, you should run the stove radiator at maximum power. When its temperature rises to working temperature, the internal combustion engine can be turned off. Let the engine cool down. After that, the flushing agent is drained in the same way as antifreeze was drained. Then we clean the cooling system with distilled water. Plain tap water cannot be used as it contains a lot of salts and impurities. After filling with water, the engine should idle for 45 minutes. Turning off the engine, let it cool down. The next step is to drain the water. The procedure can be repeated several times until the drained liquid is practically clear.
Filling new antifreeze
If you purchased a concentrate, you need to dilute it with water in the ratio indicated on the package. An already diluted liquid can also be sold. Antifreeze can now be poured into the expansion tank neck. We start the engine, and turn on the stove at maximum power. This will distribute the liquid evenly and prevent air pockets from forming.
In addition to the planned replacement, it is also necessary to regularly check the level of antifreeze. If it drops below the minimum mark, you need to top it up. In some cars, there is also data on the amount of antifreeze on the dashboard.
Are different coolants compatible? Antifreezes from different manufacturers may not have the same composition and be incompatible. As a result, mixed fluids will have a destructive effect on the metals from which the parts are made. Even liquids of the same color from different manufacturers should not be used together.
If you do not have information about what kind of antifreeze is poured into your car, then add distilled water, but this will reduce the shelf life of the fluid. It should be added to the same place where the antifreeze is poured. Regardless of what you add, replacement should take place when the motor is cold. This must be done in order to comply with safety measures. To avoid increased pressure, you must open the lid a little in advance. If there are air locks in the cooling system, then warming up the internal combustion engine will remove them. You should not add antifreeze to the very edges, because during the engine operation, its excess will leak out and fall on other parts. As you can see, information on replacing antifreeze is not limited only to knowing where to fill the coolant.
Motor oil (MM) is a composition that ensures the smooth operation of a vehicle's power unit. It is poured in a certain amount, which depends on the working volume, size and technical parameters of the motor. When the lubricant level drops, it is necessary to add oil to the engine, referring to the marks on the mechanical dipstick. It is prohibited to operate the power unit with insufficient MM volume.
1 Why does an engine need lubrication?
ICE is an internal combustion engine (carburetor or injector) that cannot function without engine oil. It performs the following important functions:
- Prevents scuffing and reduces friction between the surfaces of parts of the power unit that are in contact with each other.
- Seals gaps between compression rings and oil scraper rings of cylinders and pistons. This minimizes the risk of hot gases entering the crankcase from the combustion chambers.
- Increases the service life of the internal combustion engine, reducing the wear of its individual elements.
- Protects metal parts from oxidation, thereby preventing their corrosion.
- It removes heat from rubbing mechanisms.
- Removes varnish deposits, sludge, slags from the power unit.
An excessive amount of MM causes the appearance of coke and carbon deposits in the cylinder-piston mechanism, difficult starting of the internal combustion engine in winter, foaming of the lubricant, and wear of the valve bushings. In cases where the oil level in the engine is insufficient, its parts begin to function dry. This leads to the formation of air plugs inside the system, uneven rotation of the crankshaft, and seizure of the cylinder pistons.
2 When and what kind of oil should you add?
A certain lubricant should be added to the engine. Before topping up, you need to find out which oil of which viscosity and brand is recommended by the manufacturer of the power unit of the car. Lubricants of different types have a unique set of additives and additives.
If you mix oils from different manufacturers, there is a high likelihood of a chemical reaction between them. Because of this, MM will begin to curl up, precipitate and lose its properties.
It is allowed to mix greases of different brands with the same viscosity index in extreme cases (for example, when it is necessary to add oil to the engine on the way, but there is no suitable composition at hand). If mineral MM is poured into the power unit, it is prohibited to add synthetic fluids to it, and hydrocracking fluids are undesirable. It is allowed to mix the following types of greases (provided that they have the same set of components and are made by the same manufacturer):
- synthetic and semi-synthetic;
- mineral and semi-synthetic.
MM is topped up after checking its amount in the engine. This analysis is performed using a probe.
Add lubricant when the level is below the MIN mark on the specified tester. In winter, it is advisable to add oil to a hot engine. The motor is warmed up, allowed to cool slightly for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the lubricant composition flows into the sump and settles, thereby restoring the required indicator of its fluidity.
In hot weather, some motorists carry out topping up the MM “on cold”. This avoids overfilling or underfilling of grease, which expands and contracts during temperature fluctuations.
3 Topping up the lubricant - minimum hassle
It is not difficult to add oil to the engine correctly. The operation is performed according to the following algorithm:
- The machine is installed on a level surface, put on the handbrake.
- The hood of the car is opened and secured with a rod.
- The engine warms up and shuts down.
- There is a locking cover at the top of the power unit. It usually contains the inscription Oil Fill or an oil can icon. The lid is unscrewed, wiped with a dry cloth, set aside.
- The level of the MM is checked using the dipstick.
A funnel (factory or made independently from a plastic bottle) is installed in the oil filler neck, through which the oil is topped up. It is allowed to add 150–250 ml of liquid at a time.
After pouring a portion of MM, it is necessary to wait 20-25 minutes and again check the amount of grease with a dipstick. If necessary, the latter is added according to the scheme described above until its level is established between the risks MAX and MIN on the testing device.
At the end of the operation, surfaces that have gotten droplets of liquid are wiped with a clean cloth. The probe is put in place (pushed in until it stops). The cover is screwed on, the hood is lowered. Topping up oil is complete.
It is recommended to start the engine and let it run for 5-10 minutes. If the power unit does not emit any extraneous sounds, the machine is ready for operation. In the event of unusual noises, contact a specialist workshop immediately.
The behavior of the car depends on the operation of the engine. In order for the motor to work for a long time and not break down, it is necessary to constantly monitor its condition. Checking the engine oil level is considered one of the important operations.
Before adding engine fluid, you need to determine how much is in the system. To do this, turn off the engine and park the car on a level surface. The check is carried out "for cold", with the cooled down motor system.
Each motor is equipped with a special dipstick, on which there are several marks indicating the minimum and maximum amount of oil composition.
The dipstick is removed from the crankcase and wiped thoroughly. Then it is again lowered inside the neck and the existing level is determined by the risks.
Top-up rules
First, you need to find out what grade of oil was added to the engine. When selling a car, the former owner usually tells what type of car oil he used. It remains only to purchase an analogue with the required viscosity coefficient.
Topping up is carried out only when the oil level "on the dipstick" does not reach the "minimum" mark. When checking this, remember that if the engine is hot, the oil has not completely drained into the crankcase. When the engine cools down, the lubricant level will be higher. Therefore, to obtain accurate data, you must wait until the unit has cooled down. Enough 15-20 minutes.
In winter, to check the level, experts advise slightly warming up the internal combustion engine. The fact is that in the cold, the oil begins to freeze, and after heating, the volume will increase slightly.
How to top up
Open the hood, remove the filler cap. It is usually labeled "Oill Fill". Use a dipstick to check the amount of grease present. The mark should show “maximum”. If the volume is below the indicated mark, it is necessary to top up.
For normal operation of the engine, it is enough that the oil level is in the middle between the minimum and maximum - you need to strive to achieve this value.
In order for the operation to be performed accurately, it is necessary to insert a funnel into the oil filler hole. It will prevent liquid from splashing and getting onto the surface of the motor. If this happens, be sure to wipe it off with a rag. Otherwise, when the internal combustion engine heats up, the lubricant will begin to evaporate, and an unpleasant odor will appear in the cabin.
When adding oil, do not fill the entire volume at once. This is done in small portions, about 250 ml each. After the liquid has completely drained into the pan, you need to check the level. The operation is repeated several times until the level reaches the middle between the "min" and "max" values.
After the end of the operation, the probe is tightly installed in its place. Wipe the oil filler cap thoroughly. There should be no dust or dirt left on it. Install it firmly in its original place.
Make sure you have not left any foreign objects before closing the hood. The remaining drops of oil must be wiped off thoroughly.
It's time to start the car and listen to how the engine works. The oil level light should not come on. If it starts to burn, you need to urgently contact a specialist to troubleshoot.
Topping up the oil is only necessary if necessary. Overflow of lubricant leads to the appearance of excessive pressure inside the power unit. As a result, it will fail and will require major repairs.
Before you try to add oil to your car's engine, you need to know what kind of oil it needs. It is quite important to know this in advance, because the types of oil can differ even within the same model from season to season (winter and summer oil) and even from modification to modification in the event that these modifications have different engines. Do not mix different brands of oil, therefore, before refueling with engine oil, you must know exactly the brand of oil used in your car.
In addition, you can find out the correct brand of oil from the staff at most auto dealerships.
Do I need to mention that you should already be aware that the amount of oil in the engine is below normal, having checked its level before reading this article.
First of all, you need to open the hood of your car, for which pull the lever in the passenger compartment - on most cars it is at the bottom at the knee level of the driver's left leg in his comfortable sitting position, but it can also be located at the level of the pedals (that is, even lower).
Next, open the hood lid by finding another lever in the gap under the hood lid that appeared after you opened it from the passenger compartment. Fix the bonnet cover open using a rod, one end of which is fixed on a hinge on the bonnet cover or in the bonnet itself, and the other end must be fixed, respectively, in the bonnet or on the bonnet cover in a special hole.
Next, you need to find the oil filler cap, which is located on top of the engine block and, as a rule, is clearly visible with the words " Oil fill", and sometimes designation of the type of engine oil that your car uses. If you see, for example, the inscription 5W30 on the lid, you will already know what type of oil to add. Unscrew the lid, dry it with a paper towel or rag and set it aside.
Insert a clean funnel into the oil filler neck (from where you just unscrewed the cap). It is highly advisable to use a funnel to add oil to the engine, otherwise you will run the risk of spilling it all over the engine block, which will simply burn this oil, heating up to a very high temperature during operation, and create a terrible smell, and sometimes it can lead to more serious problems.
Add the correct type of oil in small portions. Don't just turn a bottle or can of oil upside down and let it pour into the engine. You need to fill in no more than 150-250 ml of oil in one step, and then wait for the filled oil to fall into the pan (you know that this will not happen right away if you read it). It is important to allow some time to allow the oil to drain down into the pan - about 15-20 minutes.
By the way, if you spill some oil on the engine compartment, don't panic. Leftover oil won't get super-dangerous on the engine, although it will stink when you start and warm up the engine. Try wiping and cleaning spilled oil as much as possible with a rag or paper towel.
After you have waited for the freshly filled oil to drain into the sump, check the oil level with the dipstick again. If there is still not enough oil, then repeat the process of adding oil described above (also remembering to wait 15-20 minutes until the oil drains into the engine sump) until the oil level on the dipstick settles exactly between the minimum and maximum mark. Remember to wipe the dipstick clean before every oil level check.
