Engine oil fulfills a number of important functions in a car engine.
Its most important function is to reduce the function between the moving parts inside the engine. It also cleans the engine internally, contributes to cooling and acts as a sealant.
It is therefore critical to keep track of the correct oil level, but should the engine be warm or cold when checking this? Here you get the answer.
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It is wise to check the oil level
The engine oil and oil filter in all petrol and diesel cars must be changed according to the service intervals specified by the manufacturer.
Between oil changes, however, it is wise to check the oil level from time to time to make sure everything is correct.
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How to check the oil level
On most cars, the oil level is checked on a dipstick in the engine compartment, which has markings for how high the oil level should be.
To check the oil level, pull out the dipstick and wipe it. Then you put the dipstick back in and pull it out again. You can then read the oil level on the dipstick.
More modern cars are often equipped with a sensor that measures the oil level and warns when it is too low.
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Should the car be warm or cold?
When checking the engine oil, the engine must be switched off. If it is running, the oil is pumped around the engine, which gives an incorrect reading.
According to the oil manufacturer Castrol, the car should be cold when you check the oil, and if the engine has been running, you should wait at least 20 minutes so that the oil has time to drain back into the oil pan.
It is also important that the car is on level ground.
If the oil level is too low, it is time to top up with oil of the correct specification, which you can find in the car’s owner’s manual.
Fill in a small amount of oil and wait a few minutes for it to drain into the oil pan. Then you can check the oil level again.
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