How a simple oil level check can kill your engine
- October 23, 2023
- 0
Only less experienced drivers rush to check the lubricant level in the engine only at the moment when the “oil can” icon lights up on the dashboard. Experienced
Only less experienced drivers rush to check the lubricant level in the engine only at the moment when the “oil can” icon lights up on the dashboard. Experienced motorists regularly check the amount of lubricant. And it’s true. However, if this procedure is done incorrectly, the consequences are critical.
Checking the oil is necessary to obtain simple information about the quantity and quality of this substance in the engine at that time. It’s bad if there isn’t enough lubrication. But it’s also unpleasant when there’s too much of it. The optimal amount is determined by the car manufacturer. This value is not constant and lies within the maximum and minimum permitted values.
The oil dipstick in any combustion engine has two markings that clearly correspond to the same limit values. That is, as long as the oil level in the engine is between the “notches” on the dipstick marked max and min, there is no need to worry. Although there is a small but unpleasant “but”.
When checking the lubricant level in the engine, we must be sure that what we see on the dipstick really corresponds to reality. That is why it is so important to avoid errors in measurements. The widespread skill of checking the oil level in the engine began to die out among Russian drivers around the same time when old Soviet vehicles – Zhiguli and Volga of all kinds – began to leave the country’s fleet in large numbers. Their fragility forced the owners to regularly check the technical condition of the “old ladies”.
Therefore, none of them would make a mistake by, for example, looking for the lubricant level on the dipstick immediately after removing it from the well in the engine. In this case, the level can appear almost anywhere in the “probe”.
For proper inspection, first wipe the surface of the dipstick dry with a cloth. Only then should it be put back into the engine (until the end, as tight as possible), removed and only at this point check the actual lubricant level in the engine. It would be a mistake to check the oil level while the engine is running or immediately after it is stopped. In this case, the dipstick will definitely indicate a very low level. Simply because most of the lubricant is distributed over the entire “engine”, and in the oil pan (here the dipstick is immersed) it will be present in minimal quantities.
If you add maximum oil to the power unit at such a time, you are almost guaranteed to get all the joys of overflow – the “churning” with the crankshaft, squeezing the lubricant out through the oil seals and seals, and other “joys” that can lead to serious repairs to the power unit. In general, before checking the lubricant level in the engine, leave it in the switched off state for at least 20 minutes.
Likewise, you should not check the amount of lubricant in the engine when the car is parked on a noticeable slope. In this case, the oil drains to one side of the oil pan. And the level mark on the dipstick no longer shows the true picture. For example, it may be overestimated if there is actually a shortage. The driver is misinformed, does not take appropriate measures and the engine is at risk of major repairs.
photo globallookpress.com
Checking the oil is necessary to obtain simple information about the quantity and quality of this substance in the engine at that time. It’s bad if there isn’t enough lubrication. But it’s also unpleasant when there’s too much of it. The optimal amount is determined by the car manufacturer. This value is not constant and lies within the maximum and minimum permitted values.
The oil dipstick in any combustion engine has two markings that clearly correspond to the same limit values. That is, as long as the oil level in the engine is between the “notches” on the dipstick marked max and min, there is no need to worry. Although there is a small but unpleasant “but”.
When checking the lubricant level in the engine, we must be sure that what we see on the dipstick really corresponds to reality. That is why it is so important to avoid errors in measurements. The widespread skill of checking the oil level in the engine began to die out among Russian drivers around the same time when old Soviet vehicles – Zhiguli and Volga of all kinds – began to leave the country’s fleet in large numbers. Their fragility forced the owners to regularly check the technical condition of the “old ladies”.
Therefore, none of them would make a mistake by, for example, looking for the lubricant level on the dipstick immediately after removing it from the well in the engine. In this case, the level can appear almost anywhere in the “probe”.
For proper inspection, first wipe the surface of the dipstick dry with a cloth. Only then should it be put back into the engine (until the end, as tight as possible), removed and only at this time check the actual lubricant level in the engine. It would be a mistake to check the oil level while the engine is running or immediately after it is stopped. In this case, the dipstick will definitely indicate a very low level. Simply because most of the lubricant is distributed throughout the “engine”, and in the oil pan (here the dipstick is dipped) it will be present in minimal quantities.
If you add maximum oil to the power unit at such a time, you are almost guaranteed to get all the joys of overflow – the “churning” with the crankshaft, squeezing the lubricant out through the oil seals and seals, and other “joys” that can lead to serious repairs to the power unit. In general, before checking the lubricant level in the engine, leave it in the switched off state for at least 20 minutes.
Likewise, you should not check the amount of lubricant in the engine when the car is parked on a noticeable slope. In this case, the oil drains to one side of the oil pan. And the level mark on the dipstick no longer shows the true picture. For example, it may be overestimated if there is actually a shortage. The driver is misinformed, does not take appropriate measures and the engine is at risk of major repairs.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
