| Your car's oil is essentially its blood. It is what cools the | | | | Color- Look at the color of the oil. Oil is a golden, honey |
| engine down, and it also removes the pollutants that | | | | color when it is brand new and clean, and gets darker |
| made their way into the engine. You should make sure | | | | as it gets closer to the end of its life. If the oil seems |
| that you check your car's oil about once a month to | | | | like it is more black than gold, it is most likely time for |
| make sure that everything is fine. | | | | an oil change. A good test it to put a drop of oil on |
| In order to check the oil, open the compartment that | | | | your fingernail, if you can easily see your nail, your oil is |
| contains the engine (the hood on front engine cars, or | | | | fine. |
| the rear on mid and rear engine cars). You will then | | | | Location- Look at where the oil is in relation to the |
| need to locate the "dipstick." It is normally right next to | | | | markings on the dipstick. If it is under the "MAX" line, |
| the engine if you have a wet-sump engine (99% of | | | | add some oil to bring it back up. If it is under the "MIN" |
| cars have this), or next to the oil cap if you have a | | | | line, add oil immediately! It is extremely dangerous for |
| dry-sump engine (if you have an exotic car or a | | | | your engine to run with too little oil. |
| high-end sports car, you most likely have a dry-sump | | | | You should always be sure to check your oil and |
| engine). | | | | make sure it is at the proper levels and not too dirty. |
| Remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a rag or | | | | Otherwise, you might end up needing a new engine |
| paper-towel. Insert it back in the engine and then pull it | | | | instead of just an oil change. |
| out again... You will need to look for a few things: | | | | |