If you own a vehicle with an internal combustion engine under the hood, you should know what a dipstick is. Without understanding how to operate the dipstick, you can't make sure your car is safe to drive and is going to live for quite a long time.
A dipstick is a metal stick that is inserted into your engine and helps you check the level of engine oil. It's usually located on the top of the engine. The look and the type of the dipstick may vary depending on the model of the engine. But its function is always the same - checking the oil level.
Also, some transmissions have dipsticks that allow you to check the transmission fluid level. If you can use the engine oil dipstick, you can also easily check the level of fluid in the tranny.
How to locate a dipstick in your car?
Understanding how to find the dipstick in the engine of your vehicle is extremely important. For this, you should do the following:
- open the hood and fixate it so that you can use both your hands;
- locate the plastic handle in the upper or front part of your engine;
- pull this handle and make sure it has the metal stick attached to it;
- congratulations, you've just found the dipstick in your car.
If you can't locate the dipstick in your vehicle, open the driver's manual. Even if you don't have one, it's not hard to find it online. Usually, there is a chapter in the manual that helps you learn how to maintain your vehicle. In the section of the oil check, you will find the location of the dipstick for your engine model.
Operating the dipstick and checking the oil
You should know that there are different kinds of cars and engines. So, checking oil levels may differ from one vehicle to another. For example, some manufacturers ask to check the oil level when the car is hot, after about 5 minutes when you stop the engine.
But in general, the oil level is checked when the vehicle is cold. Just take the dipstick out and look at its tip.
Here's how you check the oil level:
- take the dipstick out of the engine and wipe it with some clean cloth or tissue;
- insert it back into the engine to its original place;
- take it out again carefully and look at the tip of the dipstick;
- you will see the oil border and also two marks - MIN and MAX;
- make sure that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks;
- if the oil level is low, add some oil using the plastic cap on the top of the engine.
This is how you should use the dipstick, in most cases. But I strongly recommend you read the manual and see what the manufacturer says. Some vehicles may have different ways of checking the oil levels. It's important to do everything just like the manufacturer says.
What if my dipstick is dry?
If the dipstick in your car is dry, there are two possible reasons why it may happen.
Firstly, this may be because there is just no oil in the engine. This is a warning situation and you should react immediately. Add oil and find the reason why there is so little oil in your engine. Usually, the reason is a leak or something.
The second possible reason is that you don't use the dipstick correctly. For example, you may not insert it to the end. The oil level marks are located pretty close to each other. About 1 centimeter on the dipstick is about 1-1.5 liters of oil in the oil pan. So, if you don't insert the dipstick correctly into its place, it may remain dry.
If this is the case, try inserting the dipstick into its place and check that the plastic handle is exactly where it should be.
How much oil should I add when the dipstick shows a low level?
Be careful with adding oil to your engine. When the dipstick shows you that the oil is on the MIN mark, you should add about half a liter. This will help you top up the level and make it exactly in the middle between the MIN and MAX marks. This is the optimal level for almost any engine.
But if the level is just slightly lower than needed, avoid adding a lot of oil. If you overfill the engine with oil, it may have dab consequences, including some fatal problems with some kinds of engines.
So, make sure you know how to use the dipstick to check the oil level in the engine of your car. This will help you maintain the vehicle and avoid premature engine death.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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