Before starting any road trip, you must ensure that your car has enough oil to travel the distance and that the vehicle’s health is maintained through regular maintenance. One of the easiest ways to check oil in your car is through a Dipstick.
After checking, you might consider a Car Engine Oil Change Dubai to make your trip easier on the stranded roads of the UAE and to ensure that your vehicle doesn’t abandon you on a rugged route.
However, do you know how to use a dipstick properly? If not, this guide is for you! It will teach you how to use a dipstick to maintain your engine’s health, limiting your mechanic visits. Let’s start!
What Is A Dipstick And How Do You Locate It?
The dipstick is a stick made of metal or plastic with different colors on it that is used to identify the oil levels in automobiles.
At the lower end of the dipstick, marked indicators indicate the vehicle’s minimum and maximum oil levels.
By inserting and removing the dipstick from the engine, you can see the oil level of your car on the marked indicator of the dipstick.
Typical Locations by Vehicle Type
The location of the dipstick in a vehicle’s engine varies depending on the type of vehicle you are driving and how it’s design looks like. Here is a breakdown of typical dipstick locations by vehicle type:
- Sedans and Hatchbacks: In most sedans and hatchbacks, dipsticks are near the front of the engine bay, often on the right-hand side (as you face the car). Look for a yellow, orange, or red loop or handle.
- SUVs and Crossovers: However, in SUVs and crossovers, the dipstick is usually positioned in the front center or slightly to the left. The engine bay layout might be more cramped, so look carefully for the handle.
- Trucks: Trucks have their dipsticks located on the side of the engine so that drivers can easily access them and check the fuel. The handle is easily visible and within the driver’s reach.
- Sports Cars: Sports cars with front engines often have dipsticks centrally or to the side. For mid-engine models, access might be through a rear compartment.
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Like in traditional cars, the dipstick is usually found near the front of hybrids still using a combustion engine. Since they do not utilize conventional oil, some electric cars lack dipsticks.
How To Check Oil Levels Of Your Vehicle With A Dipstick?
Using a dipstick to check your oil levels keeps your car free from problems. Knowing when to top off your oil can also help you avoid needless Oil Change Prices and expensive damages.
Here is how to do it effectively:
- Prepare For the Check: Before you check your vehicle for oil, ensure that your engine is shut off and cooled down. Also, park your car on a typical leveled surface to guarantee that you take the correct measurement of oil.After turning off the engine of your car, you must wait for a few minutes for the oil to settle in the oil pan. Then, use a fresh rag or paper towel to clean the dipstick.
- Remove and Clean the Dipstick: The next step is to locate your dipstick in your vehicle. It has a brightly colored handle that is easy to pull out of the engine to check your oil levels. Once you have pulled it out, take a rag or tower to clean it of any residues.This step ensures that you start with a clear view of where the oil level stands when you take the subsequent measurement. Always make sure the dipstick is entirely free of oil before reinserting it.
- Check Oil Level: After cleaning, you can reinsert the dipstick fully back into its tube, ensuring it goes all the way in. Wait a second, then pull it out again. After that, look closely at the tip of the dipstick, where you’ll find markings indicating the oil level.These marks typically show “Full,” “Add,” and sometimes a cross-hatched area in between. The oil should ideally be between the “Full” and “Add” marks. If it is below the “Add” mark, you must add oil to your engine.
- Assess Oil ConditionWhile checking the oil level, you need to assess the condition of the oil itself. The oil should be transparent and golden-brown in appearance, if it looks dim or soiled, then you need to change it immediately.Also, if there is a change in its odor, it could be a sign that your engine is not in its best shape and needs professional help. By regularly checking your oil, you keep your engine lubricated and also identify issues early on to resolve them immediately.
Common Mistakes To Avoid While Checking Your Car Oil
You must keep an eye on your car’s oil to ensure that the engine is running smoothly. However, as a human, you can make mistakes that can impact your vehicle’s health, performance, and longevity.
But we do not want you to be part of this cycle. Thus, we have curated a list of 7 mistakes that you should avoid when you are checking the level of oil in your vehicle. Have a look!
- Overfilling Oil: It is easy to add a little extra oil to your engine, expecting it to offer more protection. However, overfilling can produce too much pressure, damaging oil leaks, seals, and gaskets. To maintain ideal engine performance, you must follow the oil level advised in your car’s handbook.
- Using the Wrong Type of Oil: Using the wrong oil type may seriously compromise your engine’s life and efficiency. Different engines run properly depending on oil viscosities and formulas.So, use the oil type advised by your manufacturer to guarantee the greatest performance and minimize needless engine wear and tear.
- Ignoring the Oil Change Interval: Ignoring or postponing your car’s oil change will cause unclean oil to flow through your engine, lowering lubrication and raising wear. This control can lead to overheating and may damage engine parts.Therefore, to ensure your engine is in perfect condition, you must follow the oil change manual religiously.
- Checking Oil Immediately After Driving: As discussed before, your oil needs time to settle in the oil pan after driving. Thus, you must wait 10-15 minutes, let the oil cool down, and then check the oil levels for more accurate results.
- Failing to Clean the Dipstick: If you feel lazy and do not wipe the dipstick before checking your oil level, the chances of getting an incorrect reading are high. Your dipstick will have traces of residual oil, which might give you the impression that you have sufficient oil to complete the drive.Therefore, to obtain a precise measurement, you must constantly clean the dipstick with a cloth or paper towel before reinserting it.
- Not Replacing the Dipstick Properly: An incorrectly positioned dipstick can splash oil out of the tube, enabling pollutants to enter the engine. The presence can impair the oil’s lubrication capabilities, resulting in high engine friction and potential harm.Therefore, following the inspection of your oil, it is imperative to verify that your dipstick is completely inserted and firmly positioned.
- Misinterpreting Oil Color and Texture: One may easily become concerned if their oil appears dark or gritty. However, not all changes in color indicate a problem. The presence of dark oil does not necessarily mean a fault. But gritty oil indicates that it is time for a change.So, you should familiarize yourself with your car’s regular oil and consult a mechanic if you notice unusual changes.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, checking your car’s oil is essential for smooth and reliable performance during a long drive. If you are in Dubai and need a car engine oil change, to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly.
For the Best Oil Change in Dubai, you can rely on trusted service providers like Dial-A-Battery. We offer transparent oil change prices, high-quality care, and convenient services at your doorstep, to ensure that all your time is spent on the new places you want to travel!
For more details on their services, you can visit Dial-A-Battery‘s car engine oil change and experience hassle-free car maintenance.
