For many drivers, the thought of having to take their car in for an oil change is worrisome. After all, what if something goes wrong and the mechanic finds that your car needs a new engine? There’s a good chance you’ll be faced with a hefty repair bill and may even have to sell your car. But is it really necessary to have your car serviced every three months?
What is low car oil?
One way to think about low car oil is as a gauge of how efficiently your engine is using fuel. Engines run more smoothly and are more responsive when they are using the most fuel possible. In general, an oil that is labeled “low car” will have a lower API (American Petroleum Institute) rating than a higher-quality oil.
The different types of oil
When is oil considered to be low? According to the Department of Energy, “Oil is considered lower when it is at or below a designated threshold. The designated threshold varies by month and for the current year is 4 percent.” This refers to crude oil, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons that have been extracted from the earth.
How to check if you have low car oil
If you have a car, it’s important to check the oil level regularly and make sure it’s always topped up. Checking your oil level is easy – just pop open the bonnet and look for a dip in the engine oil level. If it’s low, then you need to add more to the car. But how low is too low? Here, we’ll tell you how to check your oil level, and tell you when it might be time to get some help.
When checking your car’s oil level, remember that there are three main types of oil: synthetic, semi-synthetic and conventional. Conventional oil is made from crude oil but has been refined so that it doesn’t contain as many impurities. Semi-synthetic oils are made from partly synthetic and partly conventional ingredients, while synthetic oils are completely synthetic.
To check your car’s oil level, first make sure you have a properly functioning dipstick. Then unscrew the cover on the engine and pull out the dipstick. Pour a little of the engine oil into the dipstick barrel – don’t use too much or you
What to do if you have low car oil
If your car’s oil light is on and you’ve been using the same amount of oil each time, your engine may be low on oil. Here are a few things to check if you’re unsure how much oil your car needs:
– Check to see if the level in the engine oil dipstick is at the “3/4 full” or “1/2 full” mark. If it’s at the “3/4 full” mark, add an additional 1/4 cup of oil to the car. If it’s at the “1/2 full” mark, use only 3/4 cup of oil.
– Turn off the engine and wait five minutes before checking again. The engine cools down during this time, which can cause a small drop in oil pressure.
– If your car has a manual transmission, try shifting into first gear and letting the car idle for two minutes. This will let any liquid that’s been driven out of the engine by the gears settle back into the engine. If there’s still a low amount of oil shown when you check after two minutes, your transmission may need to be replaced.
Conclusion
If you have a car that’s seven years or older, it might be time to think about changing your oil. The federal government has set the threshold at 5,500 miles for oil changes, but this is only an guideline and isn’t always followed. As long as your engine is running smoothly and there are no major mechanical problems with the vehicle, you may not need to change your oil as often as you’re used to. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s probably time to inspect and/or replace your engine oil:
-Decreased fuel efficiency
-Sluggish acceleration
-Loud knocking or ticking noise coming from under the hood