Car Oil
Mercedes Porsche Mechanic | Midtown Auto Repair | Services | Sacramento
P. 916.382.7700
Oil is your engine’s lifeblood. If you fail to keep your oil filled or put the wrong oil in your car, things could go very wrong very quickly. Luckily, caring for this vital fluid is quite simple. It’s just a matter of forming good habits and knowing what kind of oil to put into your car.
Most new cars have a built-in oil level tracker that will signal you when an oil change is needed. An oil change will be needed when your oil is either worn out or aged out. The oil degrades from heat and pressure, and it can collect harmful particles that need to be removed. Each car is different but the specific guidance can be found right in your glove box in the owner’s manual.
If you have a newer car, you can trust it’s technology. But if you’re a do it yourselfer, checking your oil isn’t hard. It’s actually recommended that every driver know how to at least check their oil. It’s good general knowledge. All you need to do is turn off the engine, open the car’s hood and find the dipstick. Pull it out and wipe off any oil from its end with a towel or rag. Put it back in the tube and take it out again. This time look at both sides of the dipstick and see where the oil is on the end. Your dipstick will have an indicator or marking that shows proper oil level. If the oil is below the indicator or marking you need to add oil. Easy enough, right? One thing you should also lookout for during this process is the oil’s color. It should appear brown or black. If it’s light or has a milky color this could mean there’s a leak and you’ll need to bring it in to get it looked at.
Lastly, please make sure you’re using the right oil for your car. Again, this is something that can be found in the owner’s manual. Don’t be upsold into synthetic oil if there’s no need. You should know what kind of oil is recommended or required by your automaker before visiting a mechanic. Simply put, only use synthetic oil if your manufacturer calls for it.
We want your car to last as long as possible and knowing how to care for your oil and knowing what oil to use is a great start. If there’s one thing your car needs more than anything it’s oil so take it seriously.