Galway filling station forecourts that check oil

bobbyss

Anyone know any service station forecourt like Topaz etc around the city or environs that would willingly check your car's oil and water? In the past I think there was usually someone around who could do some jobs like that but these days there doesn't seem to be.

bobbyss

bobbyss wrote: »

Anyone know any service station forecourt like Topaz etc around the city or environs that would willingly check your car's oil and water? In the past I think there was usually someone around who could do some jobs like that but these days there doesn't seem to be.

This is a basic requirement for the maintenance of any vehicle. If a person is unable to do this, I'd question their ability to drive safely on the road given that driving is infinitely more challenging than dipping the oil.

Seth Brundle

I'd be surprised if any of them would for fear that they would be blamed for over selling oil or even worse, causing whatever damage was there when you drove in! They also would not want to be responsible for an eventuality of over-filling the oil if you asked them to do this.

Can you not take out a dipstick and check it?

granturismo

bobbyss wrote: »

Anyone know any service station forecourt like Topaz etc around the city or environs that would willingly check your car's oil and water? In the past I think there was usually someone around who could do some jobs like that but these days there doesn't seem to be.

Maybe in the US but I dont remember it here. You do realise the oil needs to be cold or at least cooler than running temp to check it. Are you going to leave your car parked at a filling station until it cools down for someone else to check it?

biko

I doubt any of them would do this task for you these days.
I have never come across it but then I check these things myself.

Gregor Samsa

If you can dry a spoon with a tea-towel, you should be able to check your own oil:

http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/how-to-check-your-vehicles-oil-level/

Checking coolant level is even easier, as you don't have to open or touch anything (except the bonnet):

http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/how-to-check-a-vehicles-coolantantifreeze/

If either are too low or too high, then bring it to a mechanic if you're not sure what to do.

bobbyss

biko wrote: »

I doubt any of them would do this task for you these days.
I have never come across it but then I check these things myself.

Yes I agree.

It is becoming rarer and rarer.

bobbyss

Deleted User wrote: »

This is a basic requirement for the maintenance of any vehicle. If a person is unable to do this, I'd question their ability to drive safely on the road given that driving is infinitely more challenging than dipping the oil.

I don't think the basic requirement for the maintenance of a vehicle is related to the ability to drive safely.

Would you query the ability to drive safely a wheelchair driver who can not open and extend the bonnet? How about a driver lacking the physical strength to change a tyre?

Both drive less safely because they can not do those things?

CiniO

bobbyss wrote: »

Anyone know any service station forecourt like Topaz etc around the city or environs that would willingly check your car's oil and water? In the past I think there was usually someone around who could do some jobs like that but these days there doesn't seem to be.

I think idea of petrol station staff checking your oil and water, is the same old and outdated as actually using water as your coolant.

Gadgetman496

Deleted User wrote: »

This is a basic requirement for the maintenance of any vehicle. If a person is unable to do this, I'd question their ability to drive safely on the road given that driving is infinitely more challenging than dipping the oil.

It is also a basic requirement for taking your driving test is it not?

TallGlass

Am I the only one thinking, as per OEM doesn't each OEM give different specs for when to check oil. IE cold, warm etc.. Level surface etc..

Gadgetman496

TallGlass wrote: »

Am I the only one thinking, as per OEM doesn't each OEM give different specs for when to check oil. IE cold, warm etc.. Level surface etc..

For an accurate reading, oil should always be checked cold.

Milkman..

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

For an accurate reading, oil should always be checked cold.

Mine says have engine up to running temp

biko

Milkman.. wrote: »

Mine says have engine up to running temp

I suppose it would help to enlighten us if you told us what car this is..

CiniO

biko wrote: »

I suppose it would help to enlighten us if you told us what car this is..

In my experience pretty much all cars I ever had were saying in the manual to check engine oil level on flat surface with engine fully warmed up couple minutes after switching engine off.

Some maunal say 2 minutes, some say 10 minutes, etc...
But I never seen a car manual saying to check engine oil when engine is cold.

The Backwards Man

There's a super technical highly skilled advanced way of checking the oil whether it's hot or cold. All you need is an egg.


Crack egg on engine block.
Dip for oil.
If the oil level is above or at the low Mark and the egg is a gooey mess running over your starter you're good to go.
If the oil level is towards the high Mark and the egg is frying away nicely you're also good to go.

Actually, that's the wrong way around!

Kristopherus

The Backwards Man wrote: »

There's a super technical highly skilled advanced way of checking the oil whether it's hot or cold. All you need is an egg.


Crack egg on engine block.
Dip for oil.
If the oil level is above or at the low Mark and the egg is a gooey mess running over your starter you're good to go.
If the oil level is towards the high Mark and the egg is frying away nicely you're also good to go.

Actually, that's the wrong way around!

That's backwards:D:D:D

The Backwards Man

Kristopherus wrote: »

That's backwards:D:D:D

Not the first time I've spent too long thinking of fried eggs instead of what I should be working on.

rsole1

CiniO wrote: »

In my experience pretty much all cars I ever had were saying in the manual to check engine oil level on flat surface with engine fully warmed up couple minutes after switching engine off.

Some maunal say 2 minutes, some say 10 minutes, etc...
But I never seen a car manual saying to check engine oil when engine is cold.

Correct.

irisheddie85

I've seen some of the staff in both petrol stations in salthill across from the spinnaker check oil and inflate tyres for customers.

bobbyss

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

It is also a basic requirement for taking your driving test is it not?

Could you actually be asked to check the oil in your car as part of the test?

Similarly, could you be asked to change a tyre?

If you were unable to do either, would you fail your driving test?

DaveyDave

I'm assuming OP or someone they know is in a wheelchair. Nobody else can check it rather than driving to the garage? Friend or family sounds easier. Also good to check tyre pressure while they're at it.

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

EIREDriver

bobbyss wrote: »

Could you actually be asked to check the oil in your car as part of the test?

Similarly, could you be asked to change a tyre?

If you were unable to do either, would you fail your driving test?

You're asked to lift the bonnet, point out various things like oil cap, coolant, dip stick, window wash etc. You're also asked how you check the levels, and what you would do if they were low (ie how do you top them up).

You wouldn't fail automatically if you couldn't point these out, but they're marked down as faults, so could lead to you failing.

Gregor Samsa

bobbyss wrote: »

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

It is also a basic requirement for taking your driving test is it not?

Could you actually be asked to check the oil in your car as part of the test?

Similarly, could you be asked to change a tyre?

If you were unable to do either, would you fail your driving test?

You can’t be asked to actually do any maintenance tasks, but you can be asked to describe how you would check oil and coolant. If you couldn’t describe it properly, you would be marked down on those sections. Whether you would fail your test or not would depend on how you scored in other areas, but it certainly could contribute to you failing your test.

bobbyss

DaveyDave wrote: »

I'm assuming OP or someone they know is in a wheelchair. Nobody else can check it rather than driving to the garage? Friend or family sounds easier. Also good to check tyre pressure while they're at it.

Irisheddie has given me a response I have been looking for.

But following on from that it seems people would question your ability to drive safely if you are unable to check your oil.

I find this an odd position to hold.

Are you asked to check oil levels as part of your driving test these days and if you were unable to do so would you fail your test because of that?

bobbyss

phutyle wrote: »

You can’t be asked to actually do any maintenance tasks, but you can be asked to describe how you would check oil and coolant. If you couldn’t describe it properly, you would be marked down on those sections. Whether you would fail your test or not would depend on how you scored in other areas, but it certainly could contribute to you failing your test.

I see. Thank you. That clarifies things.

So the essence of the matter is that being able to check the oil level is not a basic requirement to pass the test whatsoever and any connections to your ability to drive safely are fatuous.

cletus

I would have said the reply was facetious rather than fatuous.

Obviously it is possible to drive a car and not know how to check oil level. However, anecdotally it must be said, anybody I know who professes statements such as "sure I wouldn't even know how to check the oil/change a wheel/ what's the coolant/where does the windscreen water go" etc, tend to have less mechanical sympathy for the car, less aware of appropriate gear for speeds etc

coylemj

Milkman.. wrote: »

Mine says have engine up to running temp

biko wrote: »

I suppose it would help to enlighten us if you told us what car this is..

Milkman's make and model is immaterial, he's simply making the point that not every car manual says the engine needs to be cold when you're checking the oil.

My understanding is that it's not a big deal if the engine is hot, as long as you let it rest for a few minutes before dipping it.

coylemj

bobbyss wrote: »

Could you actually be asked to check the oil in your car as part of the test?

Similarly, could you be asked to change a tyre?

If you were unable to do either, would you fail your driving test?

I remember the tester asking me to point out certain things under the bonnet but I didn't actually have to do anything. I'm not sure if I'd have failed if I didn't know where the dipstick was or I couldn't point out the brake fluid tank.

But there's no mention of any of that stuff in the RSA webpage about the test....

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/What-it-is/

Guffy

Pull into any Topaz garage the lads will check your levels and top them up if required. They only have 5w30 and 10w40 and they are sold by year (5w 2005 and later 10w 2004 and earlier) not exactly correct i know but its what they are advised by head office.

But to answer your question. Yes, topaz staff in Newcastle will definitely do it for ya.

Del2005

coylemj wrote: »

I remember the tester asking me to point out certain things under the bonnet but I didn't actually have to do anything. I'm not sure if I'd have failed if I didn't know where the dipstick was or I couldn't point out the brake fluid tank.

But there's no mention of any of that stuff in the RSA webpage about the test....

http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/What-it-is/

It's in the Preparing for your Driving Test pdf on the page you linked.

coylemj

Del2005 wrote: »

It's in the Preparing for your Driving Test pdf on the page you linked.

Cheers.

OP, this is the relevant data for a test in a car

Other aspects of the driving test will check that:

• you know how to operate the secondary controls, such as windscreen wipers and washers, demisters, rear window heater, lights and air conditioning (where fitted)
• you must also know how to adjust the seat, safety belt, head restraint and mirrors and ensure the doors are closed
• you know how to perform a check on the tyres, lights, reflectors, indicators, engine oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid, steering, brakes and horn.

bobbyss

coylemj wrote: »

Cheers.

OP, this is the relevant data for a test in a car

Other aspects of the driving test will check that:

• you know how to operate the secondary controls, such as windscreen wipers and washers, demisters, rear window heater, lights and air conditioning (where fitted)
• you must also know how to adjust the seat, safety belt, head restraint and mirrors and ensure the doors are closed
• you know how to perform a check on the tyres, lights, reflectors, indicators, engine oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid, steering, brakes and horn.

Spot on.

You must know how to do all that stuff but not actually do them.

Marcusm

bobbyss wrote: »

Anyone know any service station forecourt like Topaz etc around the city or environs that would willingly check your car's oil and water? In the past I think there was usually someone around who could do some jobs like that but these days there doesn't seem to be.

Why would you want this done at a filling station unless you hang around for 30 minutes for them to cool down?

coylemj

bobbyss wrote: »

Spot on.

You must know how to do all that stuff but not actually do them.

+1 you need to know your way around under the bonnet i.e. point out stuff but won't have to touch or do anything. Your owner's manual will have a picture of the engine compartment with indicators showing what's what.

Ursus Horribilis

bobbyss wrote: »

Spot on.

You must know how to do all that stuff but not actually do them.

Just like people who can point at their petrol cap but can't actually fill their car up?

kona

bobbyss wrote: »

Spot on.

You must know how to do all that stuff but not actually do them.

You must be a teacher so

bobbyss

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

Just like people who can point at their petrol cap but can't actually fill their car up?

Or just like people who question your ability to drive safely if you are unable to check your oil.

Ursus Horribilis

So why can't you check your oil? It's not rocket science.

kirving

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

So why can't you check your oil? It's not rocket science.

If you're in a wheelchair, you might not be able to reach high enough to open the bonnet.

It's the equivalent to saying "So why can't you walk? It's not rocket science"

Noccy_Mondy

Used to work in a filling station when in school/college. I used to (they still do) fill fuel for customers, check oil, coolant etc, top up if necessary, screen wash etc. Change wipers, change bulbs, and check tyre pressure (free air ) Untimed car wash (can wash it yourself if you like, for as long as you like) Used to particularly attract the older clientele, who mightnt be up to the basic maintenance. Tips were aplenty!!

It's rear enough to see, but there still is the odd service station isn't driven by greed.

Sam Quentin

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

For an accurate reading, oil should always be checked cold.

You would need to leave it sitting in the forecourt for at least 15min's to let the oil settle in the sump.
Then I'm sure someone will gladly check your oil level.