How to correctly determine the oil level in the engine. How to check the engine oil level correctly in winter and summer

There are many small nuances in the car that directly affect the correctness of its functioning. The oil level in the engine is one of them, because the operation of the whole system often depends only on the availability of the proper amount of lubricant. Modern technology improves the lubrication system. However, despite this, motorists still need to become familiar with how to determine the oil level in the engine.

What should be the oil level in the engine

The correct oil level in the engine depends primarily on what kind of iron horse you are riding. So, a vehicle of domestic production requires an average of about 4 liters. Such indicators are approximate for engines, the volume of which reaches 1.8-2.4 liters. A larger volume of the power plant will require more lubrication.

In order not to be mistaken with the indicators, initially fill in about 3.5 liters. Next, check the engine oil level using the dipstick. If there is still insufficient lubrication, add no more than 200-250 g and measure again. This procedure is carried out constantly until the sensors show the normal oil level in the engine.

With passenger cars made abroad, things are a little different. So, a 2.4 liter engine will require at least 4.2-4.3 liters of oil. At the same time, you do not need to purchase 5 liters of liquid, because you will not be able to drain the leftovers, and some volume should remain. Therefore, you only have to top up.

When to check the level

Checking the engine oil level is necessary in the following situations:

Some time later. Even if the car was constantly in the garage, there is a high probability of leaks provoked by the erasure of gaskets, failure of oil seals and hose joints. Hence, a weekly check will not hurt.
After traveling long distances. General recommendations for any car is to be interested in the level of engine oil in the engine every 1-2 thousand km. However, a certain car manufacturer has its own instructions.
If you are planning long trips.
When purchasing a vehicle from hands, or after its prolonged downtime.
If the coolant level readings have suddenly changed.
If problems arise in the functioning of the motor. Extraneous knocks, noises, a decrease in traction, or, on the contrary, its increase, the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the cabin, an increase / decrease in pressure become evidence of malfunctions.
When a puddle of oil forms under the iron horse, measure it.
The older the car, the more often you need to check the oil level in the engine.

Steps for checking the engine oil level

This procedure is extremely simple and vital, because the correct functioning of the car depends on this indicator. If you started wondering how to check the engine oil level, then the following step-by-step instructions will come in handy.

Take a look at the manual. Most car enthusiasts have difficulty checking the oil level on a cold or hot engine. While most people recommend measuring the engine oil level while the engine is still cool (just before riding), we recommend that you do it after driving. However, in this case, wait 10-15 minutes for the lubricating fluid to drain into a special pan. This will make it less viscous.
Stock up on unnecessary towels. Paper ones are useful not only for cleaning hands, but also for studying the composition of the oil.
Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn off the engine. Accurate measurements are only possible when the liquid is evenly distributed in the sump.
The hood can be opened using the handle located on the side of the door near the driver's seat. We push or pull this handle, we find a small latch under the hood, which is located slightly on the side, or in the center. The hood is raised by pulling on the latch. Next, you will need to use the support bar, however, in some brands, the hood itself is kept open.
Find the dipstick. The device is a rectangular or rounded hinge, which is most often located on the side of the front passenger or the same part of the hood on the engine. This pen is usually yellow, red or orange in color. You can also determine where this element is located by a symbol that resembles an old oil lamp.
Remove the dipstick and familiarize yourself with the consistency and color of the oil. The oil, which does not require replacement, has a yellow-green tint. If it has acquired a dark brown or black color, has a dense or watery structure, then immediately take the car to a car service or find out how to add oil to the engine yourself.
One check will not be able to show an adequate and final result, so wipe the dipstick and lower it into the receiver again, wait a few seconds, the oil should leave its mark.
Now you can check the oil level directly. There are two marks on the dipstick, the first is responsible for the maximum lubricant level, the second for the minimum. Remove the dipstick and match the oil print with the marks. If the oil level is normal, then it will be somewhere in the middle between the marks.

How to properly add oil to the engine

Check out the user manual. This will help determine the correct grade of oil. Car service specialists will also help you choose a liquid.
Find the oil filler cap. It is quite simple to distinguish it - by the inscription “Oil Fill”. In some cases, marking is applied there, for example 5W30. It matches the required brand. Use a funnel to raise the oil level in the engine.
Pour liquid in portions. In the process, it must be remembered that the grease does not drain immediately, so it is better to top up in parts than spill on the engine.
Check the engine oil level by removing the dipstick. This is required until the indicators reach the norm.

Add oil to cold or hot?

Oil can only be topped up in the engine when it is warm. When measured on a cold engine, the oil level will be less than on a hot one.

Can I add oil to an engine of another brand or manufacturer?

You can mix oils of different brands and manufacturers, but you need to adhere to the following rule. Synthetic oil is mixed only with synthetic, mineral only with mineral, and semi-synthetic with anything. If you adhere to this rule, there will be no harm to the engine, provided that the oils themselves meet their standards.

If the engine oil level is above normal

In a situation where the oil has risen above the norm in the engine, there may be several reasons:

Filling conditions. As noted above, when adding grease to a warm engine, its level will show an overestimated value.
Uneven surface on which the car is parked.
Depressurization of gaskets in the gas pump. This causes fuel to flow into the crankcase for lubrication. This mixture will have a very specific odor.

If you pour oil in the engine above the level, this can lead to adverse consequences:

Clogging and subsequent damage to the muffler.
Exhaust fumes with an unpleasant odor and a black tint.
Carbon deposits on the pistons and in the combustion chamber.
Excessive consumption of fuel.
Excessive pressure that will push the valve seals.
Increased oil consumption.
Failure of candles due to their filling with grease.

Thus, it becomes obvious that the oil level in the engine is a very important indicator. Checking it will not take a lot of energy and time. Knowing how to properly add oil will extend the life of your engine and your vehicle as a whole. And the ability to independently perform this operation will save money on trips to the car service.

And finally, a video on how to check the oil level in the engine

Motor oils for automobiles are classified into mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic. Mineral water is usually poured into old cars. The most popular are synthetics and semi-synthetics. It is necessary not only to be able to choose the right lubricant, but also to understand how the amount of oil in a car engine is checked. With regular checks, you can avoid the occurrence of various malfunctions associated with the operation of the car engine, expensive repairs.

The optimal amount of oil in the power unit allows the motor to function normally, provides lubrication of the contacting parts and the removal of wear products. The amount of lubricant in a car can be controlled both by indicators and by self-measurement. If you decide to measure the amount of oil in the engine, you will need to use a dipstick.

Correct determination of the amount of lubricant

In any engine, checking the oil level in the engine is carried out using a dipstick located within easy reach of the motorist. One end of the dipstick is mounted in a sealed bore in the cylinder block. The other end of the dipstick is lowered into an oil bath located in the crankcase of the power unit.

Probe Description

On any dipstick, regardless of the brand of the engine, there are 2 marks that indicate the minimum and maximum volume of oil. Please note that under certain conditions the dipstick may incorrectly indicate the volume of oil. To minimize the influence of external factors and as much as possible to accurately determine the amount of lubricant in the engine crankcase, you need to follow simple rules.

How to check the volume of oil in the engine: stages of work

To correctly check the oil level in the engine, you must follow the following algorithm:

To determine the real amount of grease in the crankcase, you need to put the car on a flat surface. If the motor has a slope in any direction, then it will not be possible to accurately measure the lubricant level.
Let the motor cool down a little. Do not measure the amount of oil immediately after turning off the engine, because part of the oil will remain in the lubrication system and oil channels, therefore, the volume will be less than the actual one. This can be confusing and prompting to add lubricant to the optimum level. However, when the oil drains into the crankcase, its volume may increase. Therefore, after switching off the engine, wait at least five minutes for the oil to drain into the crankcase.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off with a cloth, as it will splash with grease. Then lower the dipstick back into the crankcase. It is a mistake to judge the volume of oil immediately after pulling out the dipstick. The check is carried out only after the tool is re-immersed in the crankcase.
Look for 2 marks on the instrument - minimum and maximum. They are applied in different ways: in the form of an inscription, dots, stripes. In addition, certain probes have HOT and COLD marks. The optimum oil level is when the oil is located between these two marks. Top up only when the grease level is near the minimum mark. It is not recommended to maintain the oil level at the maximum mark.

Standard mistakes of motorists:

When checking the level, the vehicle is positioned on an uneven surface at an angle.
Checking the lubricant level is carried out with the engine running.
The motor did not have time to cool down after it was turned off.
The dipstick has not been cleaned; traces of oil remain on it.
The check is carried out immediately after the oil has been added to the engine or it has been changed.

What does the lack of oil lead to?

The engine is designed for a certain amount of lubrication, at which it can operate in all modes. If the amount of lubricant is insufficient, oil starvation of the motor begins. Car manufacturers have long made sure that the driver can keep track of the amount of lubricant and have placed sensors on the dashboard. The volume of the oil liquid must not be allowed to be less than the minimum established. Because of this, various parts of the power unit may fail. Oil rings fail most quickly during oil starvation, then inserts (main, connecting rod, in the crankshaft). In addition, the motor overheats, because a small amount of lubricant does not wash well the engine elements and removes heat from them. The piston may jam, leading to permanent damage to the power unit. Shaft and drive bearing wear increases, resulting in seizure of oil pump elements.

There are few reasons for reducing the amount of lubricant, but you need to know them:

damaged the crankcase, which led to a complete oil leak;
engine wear, which led to increased consumption of lubricant;
grease has not been refilled for a long time;
the gasket was broken.

How to replenish the amount of grease?

If, when measuring the volume of car oil, you notice that it is not enough, you need to top up to increase the amount of oil. It’s not so bad if, on a long trip, the lubricant level dropped to the minimum mark. Worse when he fell significantly lower. In this case, you need to immediately add oil, right on the road.

Topping up is done through the oil filler cap, which you will see on the top of the motor. Often there are different inscriptions on it - indicators like Oil Fill. In certain cases, a mark is applied to the surface of the cover to indicate the type of optimum lubrication.

Remove the cover, put a watering can in the hole. Do not rush to fill. It is advisable to pour oil in small portions. It is required to stop from time to time, so that the tale settles in the crankcase. After topping up, check the volume again. Remove the dipstick and recheck.

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What to do if the amount of oil exceeds normal

Some drivers deliberately pour more lubricant into the motor than is required. This is especially true for car owners, whose engine consumes oil quickly. However, the more is better rule does not work in this situation. Excessive motor oil is dangerous for your engine. Excess volume is better than oil starvation, but is it worth wasting your own money?

An excessively large volume of oil is dangerous for the following reasons:

Excessive grease release through ventilation. In the event that the excess is approximately five millimeters from the maximum mark, the total oil consumption of the engine can increase significantly.
The appearance of knocking around the valve drive. This is due to the fact that when the amount of lubricant is exceeded, the crankshaft counterweights are immersed in it, as a result, the lubricant foams, a lot of gases are released.
Grease emissions can cause certain sensors to become oily. At first, this may cause minor interruptions in the functioning of the units, but then the motor may fail.
Oil seals, gaskets are damaged, streaks appear at the joints of the oil-conducting channels.
Difficulty starting the motor in low temperature conditions.
Increasing the load on the oil pump, reducing its operating period.

What to do if excess oil is detected in the power unit of the machine

Inexperienced motorists, when changing the oil, may find themselves in a situation where an overflow has occurred (the lubricant level on the dipstick is located above the maximum mark). How to deal with this situation? It is a simple task to bring the amount of lubricant in the engine back to normal.

Draining excess oil with a hose

The easiest way to do this is with a syringe. Pump out the oil, then check with the dipstick.

The 2nd method is more difficult. You need to either start the car in the pit, or lift it with a lift. Unscrew the drain cap in the oil pan slightly to dispose of the excess. After draining, screw on the plug and check again if the oil level in the engine is normal.

The amount of oil and its condition should be checked regularly. Of course, there are indicators, but you shouldn't rely on them completely. This is just equipment, it can show information that does not correspond to reality. Also, the indicator is unable to show the color and viscosity of the grease. You need to check it yourself.

Printing

At first glance, a simple and insignificant procedure for checking the oil level in the engine is actually quite important. Thanks to her, the motorist can find out what the condition of the engine is. A constantly low / high level of engine lubrication indicates the presence of malfunctions in the functioning of the power unit, which must be eliminated as soon as possible.

When to check oil

What oil level should the engine have? Experienced motorists know that overfilling / underfilling does not lead to anything good. It is necessary to fill in the amount of grease specified in the operating manual.

When might you need to check the oil level?

Using the dipstick, oil volume indicator

How to check the engine oil level? A special dipstick can be used. Measurement is carried out in this way:

Observe some rules when performing testing procedures. Do not run them while the engine is running. This is dangerous and the level is measured incorrectly. Check only with a warm engine.

The oil volume indicator allows the car owner to monitor the amount of lubricant in the engine. It is located on the dashboard. When a low engine oil level is detected, the indicator immediately lights up. You should always watch him. If it flashes, stop, turn off the engine and check with the dipstick.

Increased volume of motor oil

What to do if the amount of lubricant is too high? If there is not much extra car oil, it means that you overflowed it during the shift. It is undesirable to operate a car with a consumable level above the maximum. Excess grease can begin to squeeze out of the seals and linings. They will break, they will have to be changed. The car oil will penetrate the crankcase ventilation system, the cylinder block. Drain the excess oil through a special hole, or pump out the consumable with a syringe on which a flexible tube of the appropriate radius is fitted.

The situation becomes more complicated if the volume of the car oil is exceeded significantly. This indicates that the lubricant is mixed with a coolant, fuel. This happens for various reasons:

damaged (burned out) cylinder head lining. The lining often burns out on worn-out engines, during intensive use, overheating, pouring a low-quality coolant;
cracked cylinder head;
the diaphragm of the fuel pump is damaged. This causes the fuel to mix with the lubricant. This is due to the use of poor gasoline / diesel, which negatively affects the diaphragms;
the carburetor is incorrectly adjusted (the volume of fuel in the float chamber is increased) or the injection nozzles are broken (they have lost their tightness). It is necessary to regularly check and adjust the carburetor, clean and replace the injectors.

If you find that the volume of the car oil has suddenly increased by about 2 times, stop using the machine immediately. Seizure of the power unit may occur. The lubricant will not perform its own task; seizures will appear on the cylinder walls. We'll have to overhaul the vehicle.

Reduced volume of motor oil

If the lubricant level is below the lower mark, this can be explained by waste or by the fact that the lubrication complex has ceased to be tight. The film of car oil, passing along the cylinder walls, heats up, burns out. In modern engines on gasoline, the permissible consumption for waste is three tenths of a percent, on diesel - three percent.

So if the lubricant level does not decrease very quickly (the distance between the dipstick marks corresponds to approximately one liter of car oil), then there is no need to worry. Top up with the oil that is optimal for your internal combustion engine. If the waste consumption is too high, the car needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

Leakage of engine oil from under the crankcase

From time to time, it is required to check the motor from all sides to detect a leak. Of course, it is easier to notice a leak in a clean engine, so cleaning the engine is a very useful procedure. However, not every leak can be detected without installing a car on a ditch or overpass. In view of this, if you think that the tightness of the lubricating complex is broken, go to a car service.

Conclusion

Regularly checking the amount of engine lubricant is essential to ensure smooth operation of the vehicle. Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to understand how to correctly check the oil level in the engine. If you violate the verification rules, you will receive an incorrect result. In view of this, carefully read the order of the procedure.

It is not necessary to contact a car service. The check is quite simple, you can do it yourself. No special tools are required. There is a dipstick in the combustion engine of every vehicle.

Hi everyone! Oddly enough, but not all motorists know how to check the oil level in the engine. Although this wording is not entirely correct.

Almost everyone knows that to assess the level and condition of the lubricant in the engine crankcase, it is enough to insert and remove the dipstick. It will show how much oil is available on which engine. Further conclusions are drawn as to when it is better to change it or just fill in the missing amount before the scheduled change of lubricant.

There are a few rules and tips to follow. In some cases it is possible to check the level without a dipstick. But it will be better if you have a special measuring tool at hand.

Why and when to check

Whether you have a MAN truck or a passenger car, all internal combustion engines installed include a lubricating oil filling.

Over time, the oil is consumed and loses its physical and chemical characteristics. And then the lamp on , and the motorist is thinking about the possibility of changing the lubricant in the crankcase in the near future. He will do it using or not, the question is different.

First, the main questions. When and why? Checking the oil level makes it possible to control not only its quantity, but also its condition. Driving a car that is cooled and lubricated with used oil is a serious problem. This is a replacement of parts and even a major overhaul. That is, you don't even need to ask why such a procedure is needed. It is much more important to know when to do it. It is difficult to answer this question correctly. In general, it should be checked frequently.

It is especially important to ensure that the oil is sufficient and in good condition if you are going on a long trip. Knowing from the marks what the correct level should be, you check against the current indicators. If you see that the amount is less than necessary, or the lubricant has become completely black, it is dangerous to go far.

In everyday life, if you just drive from work to work, as well as take your children to school, do shopping, then it is enough to do a check at least once every 2 weeks. Someone does it more often, someone later. Oil serves as one indicator of engine problems. Therefore, checking it will never be superfluous.

There are some basic tips that you should definitely follow when checking the oil level. And here it doesn't matter what kind of car you have.

These rules apply equally to vehicles such as:

Nissan Teana;
Kia LED;
Mercedes 211;
Audi A4;
Honda SRV;
BMW;
Hyundai Sonata;
Skoda Octavia;
Nissan Beetle;
Volkswagen Polo sedan;
Lada Priora 16 valves, etc.

That is, any engine that uses an internal combustion engine.

In winter and summer, it is important to fill in the engine oil that is optimally suited to the requirements of the car manufacturer and weather conditions. Here, by the way, it will be relevant to remember ... You will find out whether you need to do this or not by clicking on the link to our previous material.

In order to avoid mistakes and not get incorrect data when checking the amount of lubricant in the crankcase, I advise you to start by studying simple 5 rules.

Use level areas to check to ensure the oil level is correct. Any bias to the side will result in the probe not showing the true value;
On which engine do you think the measurements will show the correct value? Right, on a warm one. Therefore, the motor is first heated to operating temperature;
All oil should drain back into the crankcase. If you just drove into the garage or stopped in the parking lot, do not rush to insert the dipstick. There is still a lot of oil in the system, and there was no time to drain down. After all, after pressing or when the ignition key is turned, oil begins to be distributed throughout the engine. When the engine stops, the grease flows back into the crankcase;
Use the original dipstick to correctly estimate the amount of grease. Trying to make some kind of wire or a homemade probe is not worth it.

As for me, the advice, although simple, is extremely important. Without following these recommendations, you will definitely not be able to find out the real level of the lubricant in the engine. Therefore, in the future, you may encounter additional problems.

Check sequence

And now directly on how to obtain accurate information about the oil level in the engine of your car. First, remember all the above rules.

After that, you can start working. It will literally take a minute of your time.

Stop the car, turn off the engine;
If the check is done on the street in winter after a long parking, start the engine and let it warm up;
In summer, on hot days, it is not always necessary to warm up, but it is better to scroll the engine at idle for the exact value;
10-15 minutes after warming up or stopping, the oil will have time to drain down;
Raise the hood;
Find the dipstick;
Get it out;
Wipe with a dry cloth;
Insert into place until it stops, and scroll in different directions;
Remove the dipstick back. You will see a trace of oil on it;
The correct level is the one that is located between the two marks of the minimum and maximum value;
If the level tends to fall, oil must be topped up.

Checking on a cold engine does not give accurate data. But some motors are equipped with probes, where the measuring tool has special markings for checking on a cold and hot motor. Your reference point is a hot engine.

It is also not recommended to oversaturate the engine with oil. If you add too much, the excess will seep into the crankcase ventilation and cylinders. Plus, an excess amount is a threat to the catalyst. Changing it is not only difficult, but also very expensive.

Good day, dear blog readers. In the article, you can learn how to correctly check the oil level in a car engine. Many motorists pay insufficient attention to checking the level and it is completely in vain.

During operation, the elements of the motor experience serious loads. Friction, vibration and temperature rise will reduce its life. The use of oil makes it possible:

reduce friction;
reduce wear of parts;
protect from rust.

It is not enough to replace it in a timely manner; it is important to periodically check the level in the engine. Often, even experienced drivers who have wound more than one thousand kilometers check the amount of oil incorrectly.

At the end of the article, you can see a video on how to correctly check the oil level in the engine. It will help to supplement the text material and will be useful for motorists.

1.Preparing the car for checking the amount of oil.

machines are installed on a flat concrete or asphalt surface without a slope;
the engine must be turned off and wait 30 minutes until it cools down and the oil drains into the crankcase;
open the hood by pulling the handle located under the steering wheel on the left side;
put gloves on your hands and prepare a clean rag;
raise the hood and secure it.

2.Checking the engine oil level.

find the dipstick located in the front of the motor (the handle is painted yellow or orange);
pull it out by pulling the handle towards you;
carefully remove oil from the control zone of the dipstick with a rag;
return the dipstick to its place and remove it again;

3.Learn to understand the marks on the dipstick.

we carefully examine the probe removed a second time;
we find two marks on its working area (min and max);
if the top line of oil is between min and max, everything is in order;
if the upper line is below the min mark, add oil;
the probe returns to its original position.

On selected vehicle models, the oil check can be performed while the engine is hot. The probe has two types of graduations min and max applied to both sides. One side has an inscription Cold from English cold and Hot from English hot.

if it has cooled down, we look at the dipstick of the oil mark according to Cold, and if it is warmed up, we study the dipstick of the Hot side. Everything is simple and straightforward. Now even novice car enthusiasts know how to check the oil level in the engine.

R it is recommended to perform checks at least 2 times a month. This is the optimal time interval to control the oil content in the power plant.

The main mistakes of drivers checking the oil level

The vehicle is tilted.
The engine of the machine is running.
The motor is not cold, except when the dipstick has two types of Cool and Hot marks.
The dipstick has not been wiped and the original oil marks are taken into account.
The check was carried out immediately after adding oil.

If the check is done slipshod, then the readings will be far from the actual level of the lubricant in the engine. Oil deficiency can lead to accelerated wear of the working elements of the power plant. A chronic low level will lead to a decrease in the resource of use of the motor.

How to check the automatic transmission oil level correctly?

(Automatic transmission) are rapidly replacing mechanical gear shifters (). Almost all new car models come with an automatic transmission.

It is important to know how to correctly check the oil level in the automatic transmission. The mechanism is demanding on the quality of the lubricant. There is friction between the working elements of the automatic transmission. The lack of oil in the machine (popular name) leads to overheating and a decrease in the service life.

If the oil level in the engine is better checked in a cold state, then with an automatic transmission the situation is the opposite. The check is carried out on a heated automatic transmission.

After driving a dozen kilometers, the car is installed on a flat platform with a viewing pit without a slope.
The engine is muffled and the protection in the automatic transmission area is dismantled.
The location of the stylus is visually established.
The probe is removed and wiped with a rag.
It returns to its original place and after a second is removed.
The optimum oil level in the automatic transmission is between the min and max marks.
The probe is installed in place.

How to check the oil level in the variator correctly?

Car enthusiasts are less likely to encounter CVTs. Automatic transmissions are increasingly common. Many are wary and suspicious of them.

What is a CVT? Externally controlled infinitely variable transmission. The gear ratio changes automatically according to the load and the engine speed.

Checking the oil level in the variator is performed on a warm engine. This ensures high measurement accuracy.
The machine is installed on a flat, horizontal surface without a slope.
The engine does not need to be turned off.
Depressing the brake pedal and the variator selector switches to all positions.
It is necessary to linger in each position for no more than 10 seconds.
The selector returns to its original position.
Unlock the hood using the handle on the left side of the steering wheel.
Open the hood.
Visually detect the dipstick in the CVT filler neck (yellow or orange).
Remove the dipstick.
Wipe the working area of \u200b\u200bthe dipstick with a rag and put it back in place.
Remove the dipstick and check the oil level.
The optimal position is between the min and max marks.
Replace the dipstick.

At the end of the article, the promised video on how to properly check the oil level in the engine. We hope it will be useful and help you learn new, interesting information.