Table of contents: Before you begin ↓ The right oil ↓
Before you begin
- Make sure your vehicle is on level ground.
- Check the oil level before starting the engine, or at least 5 minutes after turning off the engine.
The right oil
Modern engines place high demands on oil. Therefore, it is very important to use the right grade of oil (see "Lubricants and fluids").
Precautions
- If you have to add oil frequently, you need to check for leaks. Place a piece of clean paper under the car and check for oil stains in the morning. If there are no leaks, the engine may be burning oil (see "Troubleshooting").
- Always maintain the level between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick (see photo 3). If the level is too low, serious engine damage can occur. If the engine is overfilled with oil, the seal may fail.
1. The top of the dipstick is brightly colored. Remove the dipstick.
2. Using a clean rag or paper towel, wipe all the oil off the dipstick. Insert the clean dipstick into the tube as far as it will go, then remove it again.
3. The oil level on the end of the dipstick should be within the shaded area. If the oil level is below the shaded area, add oil.
4. Oil is poured through the filler cap. Unscrew the cap and bring the oil level to the norm. Add oil slowly, do not overfill.