Engine oil plays several vital roles in your car’s engine. Understanding the proper level of oil your car needs, keeping the oil at the fill line, and changing the engine oil regularly are all important parts of routine car maintenance. When you know the oil capacity of your engine and keep it from getting low, your engine components will work smoothly, and reduce overheating and accumulation of deposits in the engine.

Finding the Oil Capacity of the Engine

There are several ways to find the oil capacity of your car’s engine. One of the first places to look is your owner’s manual. In the Table of Contents, you’ll find a listing for “Vehicle Specifications”. Once you turn to that page, look for a heading that says “Lubrication System”. That will tell you the oil capacity of the engine if you completely drain and refill it. Just below the capacity will be the viscosity you should use, such as 5W-30.

If you don’t have access to the owner’s manual or prefer to look online, you can usually find the oil capacity of your car’s engine on the manufacturer’s website. Manufacturers usually provide a digital version of the owner’s manual on the site. It’s likely that you’ll find technical information and a general maintenance schedule there as well.

Finally, you can use the dipstick under the hood to find out if your oil is at the appropriate level. Pull the oil dipstick out and wipe it with a paper towel. Insert it again, and then remove it. The level of the oil on the dipstick will tell you if your oil is low or if it is within the proper range. In addition, you can tell if your oil is dirty or fresh based on the color.

Why Oil Maintenance is Important

Knowing the oil capacity of your engine and the proper viscosity is vital for proper maintenance and engine function. The frequency of which you change your oil should be based on your driving habits. Miles driven impact your oil quality and oil level far more than the number of weeks or months that have past. The usual estimate is 3,000 miles or 3 months. However, if you drive 3,000 miles in one month, don’t wait for three months to go by before you change it. If it’s past 3 months and you’ve only driven a few hundred miles, check the oil to determine if it’s time to change it.

Engine oil is an important part of keeping your engine safe from extreme temperatures and weather, along with dust and sand. Here in Phoenix, both of those factors are a concern.

If you allow your oil levels to get low, you may get carbon buildup in parts of the engine. This can lead to sludge and expensive engine cleaning or the replacement of engine parts. In the worst case, your car engine could actually seize, or a camshaft could get damaged. The expense of these repairs outweighs the short duration and low price of an oil change.

For more information, or to get your oil levels professionally checked, make an appointment at Hi-Tech Car Care today. Call 602-224-0941. We’re happy to help with all your engine oil needs!