How to Check Oil & Water

An automobile must have oil and water to run properly. Without clean oil in the correct quantity, a vehicle engine will run hot as a result of increased friction between major engine components. Bearing surfaces and metal-to-metal contact areas require oil to form a barrier or film between the moving parts. If the oil barrier fails, metal contacts metal directly, which can wear the part in a very short time period. Radiator water (or coolant) must be present in the engine to reduce temperature. Without proper cooling, engine parts can expand and contract severely. Insufficient cooling can destroy delicate rubber seals and gaskets, causing leaks.

Instructions

1

Place the vehicle in park or neutral, depending up your transmission type. Apply the emergency brake. Shut off the engine and raise the hood. Wait at least five minutes for the engine to cool and for the oil to drop down into the crankcase.

2

Locate your engine oil dipstick and filler tube. It will be at the back of the engine, mid-engine or it might be up front, depending upon your make of vehicle. You will see a hook or T-handle that defines the dipstick end, and it might be colored red, yellow or some other color that makes it stand out.

3

Pull the dipstick from the filler tube and wipe the end clean with a rag. Notice the small stamped gauge on the end of the dipstick. It will have a "Cold" mark or a "Hot" mark. The cold mark applies to checking the oil level with a cold engine. The hot mark will denotes the level with hot oil. For a warm engine, insert the dipstick down into the filler tube until it seats.

4

Pull out the dipstick and look for the wet-oil mark. The wet-oil mark must be even with the hot mark line. If it reads lower, remove the oil filler cap from the large filler tube or from the valve cover. Pour in enough oil to bring the level up to the prescribed mark. For the cold engine, fill the crankcase with oil until it reaches the cold mark on the dipstick.

5

Look at the color and "feel" to the oil. Rub the oil between your fingers. If the oil looks cream-colored and frothy, or has a gritty feel to it, it should be changed along with the oil filter. Tan-colored oil can indicate water contamination. A gritty feel or metal reflections in the oil will indicate fine metal shavings that have worn from a bearing or metal part.

6

Check the radiator water and overflow reservoir after the engine has cooled somewhat. Do not remove the radiator cap or overflow reservoir on a hot engine. First see if water exists in the overflow reservoir at the proper level -- look at the level mark indicators on the side of the plastic tank. You will see high and low level lines. If your vehicle radiator does not have an access cap, you must add coolant or water to the overflow reservoir.

7

Fill the reservoir with coolant or water until it reaches the high level mark on the tank. Again, make note of the water-coolant condition. It should not have a rusty or cream coloring to it. If it has such discoloration, the cooling system will have to flushed. Replace the cap.

8

Wrap your hand in a few rags and pull up the pressure release lever on your radiator cap to release any steam. The lever will look like a small valve, and it will lock in an open, upright position. Feel the top radiator hose -- if it feels hot and very hard, wait several minutes for the engine to cool further. You can release radiator pressure quickly by running hose water over the outside fins of the radiator. When the upper radiator hose has softened, twist the radiator cap counterclockwise and remove it.

9

Look down into the radiator interior, but keep your head to the side of the opening. The water level should appear at the top just below the radiator neck. If you see open space to either side of the radiator opening, it means the level is low.

10

Use a garden hose or pail to add water to the radiator cap opening until it nears the top of the neck. Twist the radiator cap back on clockwise, while pushing down on it. Turn and push until it seats in the locking mode. Push the pressure release lever down until it snaps in place.