On a hot summer day with a heavily loaded holiday car, the load on the car is much higher than usual. In addition to lubricating all moving parts, the oil helps maintain the engine temperature at a normal level.
Before you go on a car holiday this summer, it is absolutely essential that you check that you have enough engine oil. You should also check if the oil is good enough to withstand a long trip, without exposing the engine to additional wear.
Two things save a car vacation
Open the lid
It’s very simple. Open the cover. It is not dangerous, although many feel it. In most cars, the opening is located on the left side by means of the pedals. Do this with a cold engine while the car is on flat ground. If you have just driven, wait a few minutes after turning off the engine for the oil to flow back to the bottom of the engine.
Important: Too little oil increases engine wear, especially when driving with heavy loads during holidays on hot summer days. Check before you travel. Photo: Ron Korsfull
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The dipstick on most cars is marked in yellow or orange. Pull it up, wipe it with a piece of paper, put it in place and pull it up again. Then the oil level in the engine will be displayed on the pin. The level should be at the highest mark on the pin.
This is how far the car goes when the light is on
Get the oil
If it is at a minimum, then it loses between 0.5 and 0.8 liters of oil in most cars. Check the vehicle’s instruction manual if you are unsure. Or you can fill in 0.5 liters, wait a few minutes and test the oil again to see how high the level is. It might be a good idea to take a can of spare oil with you on your holiday trip.
RED DANGER: When this light is on, it is too late to regret not having checked the oil before you left: stop immediately, check the oil. With too little oil, the engine can break. A spare box with oil in the car can save the holiday trip. Photo: Ron Korsfull
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Some modern cars do not have an oil dipstick. You are at the mercy of the information you get on the tools.
Detects engine failure
Once you raise the dipstick, you can check a few more things: The new oil is honey-colored and almost transparent. If the oil is black and hard, it is in good use and should be changed before going on vacation. If the oil is gray, this indicates that water may have entered the oil. not good. Check with the workshop what might be wrong. Rub the oil between your thumb and forefinger. If it is not soft to the touch, but “grainy”, it must also be replaced.
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