changing oil (Beginners question)

InchicoreDude

I have a renault laguna (Privilege); 1.5 diesel.

A message came up a couple of days ago to top up oil level.

I know 0 about cars. Is it possible to do this myself?

What kind of oil should I buy?

kildare.17hmr

Very simple to do but you have to put the correct ammount in or you can damage your engine, go to a motor factors and ask for the oil to suit your car and if you ask they will prob show you what to do then next time you can do it yourself. That or ask a friend who knows to show you

mawk

yeah, if its asking to top up the oil as opposed to changing the oil its totally simple, open the oil cap and pour in some oil.

but only pour in a bit if you aren't sure what you're doing. maybe a pint and then let it settle and check the dip stick to see its between the lines

GoodisonPark

Also bear in mind that its much cheaper to buy the oil in a 5L container instead of the 1L containers sold at filling stations.
Any reputiable motor factors will guide you to the right oil for your car.

mickdw

If its asking for oil, you can certainly put in 0.5L without fear of damage.
If the car has a dipstick (check your owners manual to see details), allow the new oil to settle for a couple of mins, then read on the dipstick. If still low, SLOWLY add additional oil until it comes up to the full mark - again checking the manual on how to read the dipstick if you are unsure.

InchicoreDude

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, it is saying to "Top up oil level". I know how to check the oil level and its slightly low. Just never put in oil myself before.

corktina

it's a good start that you want to learn...theres a lot of cash to saved out there down that road.

I'm a bit surprised the light has come on when the level is only slightly low. Theres usually something about a litre between low and high dipstick marks. Don't let it go below the low mark (or above the high one...)

Make sure you put the oil in the right hole...it usually has a picture of an oil can on it or maybe 710 written on it (old joke)

naughtysmurf

Don't forget to put the oil cap back on either, stranger things have happened, could get messy

Connavar

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Don't forget to put the oil cap back on either, stranger things have happened, could get messy

Happened to me recently. Only noticed because I got a strong smell of burning oil while driving.
Drove back to where I had topped the oil and found the cap on the ground

Jimbob 83

I drove the Octavia w/o an oil cap for about a week, jaysus it made a fair auld mess, went to a scrapyard and got one off a fabia for a fiver

naughtysmurf

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

I drove the Octavia w/o an oil cap for about a week, jaysus it made a fair auld mess, went to a scrapyard and got one off a fabia for a fiver

It took you a week to notice :eek:

Checked the oil on a hire car that I was getting ready for a customer years ago & forgot to put it back on, mess under the bonnet was unreal