Putting oil in a car

dory

Hello all,

I have a lot of driving to do this week. I just checked the oil level in my car and it's very low. Only about a centimetre on the dipstick. I've no clue at all about cars. Would the tiny bit it has be ok for a week until I get it serviced next week? I have about 9-10 hours of driving I'd say. Other option is go out and buy oil. Do I just go to a car garage, will they have oil on sale there that I just pop in?

Thanks

punisher5112

dory wrote: »

Hello all,

I have a lot of driving to do this week. I just checked the oil level in my car and it's very low. Only about a centimetre on the dipstick. I've no clue at all about cars. Would the tiny bit it has be ok for a week until I get it serviced next week? I have about 9-10 hours of driving I'd say. Other option is go out and buy oil. Do I just go to a car garage, will they have oil on sale there that I just pop in?

Thanks

Hi make sure you use correct type oil for car.

Very important to top up.

Is there a leak or have you serviced in time?

Give some details make year fuel type etc.

punisher5112

You can get oil in most petrol stations or motor factors.

sundodger5

A centimetre may be ok. Does the level of oil fall between the max and min marks on the dipstick?

punisher5112

As dodger says there is a min max mark keep it at max or below don't go above.

Atlantic Dawn

Check here for the correct oil type for your car, spec will be something like 5w30 etc...
http://applications.castrol.com/oilselector/en_gb/

Only add about 250ml at a go and then drive the car and recheck after car has cooled down to see if it needs more, adding too much oil can damage the engine.

dev100

dory wrote:

I have a lot of driving to do this week. I just checked the oil level in my car and it's very low. Only about a centimetre on the dipstick. I've no clue at all about cars. Would the tiny bit it has be ok for a week until I get it serviced next week? I have about 9-10 hours of driving I'd say. Other option is go out and buy oil. Do I just go to a car garage, will they have oil on sale there that I just pop in?

Was the engine hot or cold when you check and on level ? Make model petrol or diesel and year of car ?

T-Maxx

As long as it's between the minimum and maximum levels (ideally half way when cold) you're OK.

BTW 10 hours driving a week isn't much.

dory

Thanks for all the replies. It's a Kia Rio 08 Petrol. 1.3 I think. The car was cold when I checked. I couldn't see any min or max line of the stick. Also - this may be a stupid question - but you don't put the oil in where the dipstick is , right? There's another pot that I think it for oil. But then there's another pot again that says 'oil changed' and a date written by a mechanic on it.

Using the thing above I see I need Magnatec Stop-Start 5W-20 E. Presume I just go to a garage and buy a bottle and pop in 250ml?

punisher5112

dory wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. It's a Kia Rio 08 Petrol. 1.3 I think. The car was cold when I checked. I couldn't see any min or max line of the stick. Also - this may be a stupid question - but you don't put the oil in where the dipstick is , right? There's another pot that I think it for oil. But then there's another pot again that says 'oil changed' and a date written by a mechanic on it.

OK.

You need to be parked on a flat surface.
If car is parked up and hasn't been running take dipstick out and dry with tissue or cloth. Re dip and pull out now you should have level.

If you can't see min or max there is either 2 lines or hatched markings or a knick in the side of the metal showing min or max.

If you find it is low get correct grade oil and as above add small amounts until it matches up.

Has the car been serviced correctly?

If its due or has been left get it done.

Oil filler cap will be on top of engine so don't try to add through dipstick.

While your at that you should check the rest of your levels or if you don't think you fully know it would be worth getting all checked at service.

Nekarsulm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sr9NDLvdv8

Skip to 1 minute 45 seconds for oil filler cap.

punisher5112

Also worth checking tyre pressure once a week to keep an eye on them and also worth checking oil once a week.

colm_mcm

Far as I know that engine could take any of these: 5w30 or 40 or 10w40.

Castrols site tends to upsell.