How to Check and Change Your Oil in Edmonton, AB
Regularly checking and changing your oil is one of the most basic vehicle maintenance tasks, but also one of the most important. Oil is necessary for safe and proper running of the engine, but it eventually breaks down through regular use. Most modern vehicles can gauge the rough oil life in the engine, and alert you when the time has come for you to change it.
Don’t disregard your oil lightly! If you leave it too long, dirty engine oil can cause serious damage, potentially resulting in expensive repairs. The good news is, changing your oil is one of the easiest things to do for your vehicle, and your friends here at Team Ford have put together a handy guide to walk you through it.
- Start by parking on level ground, to ensure an accurate reading.
- Prop your hood open, and find the dipstick. It should be a bright colour, and labelled “OIL.”
- Pull the dipstick out, and wipe off any oil or residue before placing it back into the engine.
- Pull the dipstick out again, being careful not to tilt it or turn it upside down, and look to see where the oil is in relation to the marks at the bottom of the dipstick. There should be two lines or holes, and the point where the oil meets the dry section is the oil level. It should be between the two marks.
- Should your oil level be too low, make sure to fill it! Your Owner’s Manual will be able to tell you which oil is best for your vehicle, and your best bet is filling no more than a litre at a time. After putting in a litre, you can re-check the level of the oil on your dipstick by following the steps above.
We understand not everyone is super handy with an engine, even when it comes to basic maintenance. That’s nothing to be ashamed of—it’s the reason why our team of Ford certified technicians is ready and eager to help you! If you need an oil change, or any other maintenance or repairs, drop on by our Quick Lane service centre today.