Your engine oil has a big job to do inside your engine, and as such you’ll want to make sure that it is always up to the task of keeping your engine healthy. As traps contaminants, oxidizes, and heat cycles, your engine oil will change. This change can be measured visually with a simple check under the hood, and it can even help you detect signs of trouble before a problem gets worse.
How to Check Your Oil
While the configuration of components under the hood is always different, checking your oil yourself is often an easy task. Simply lift the hood and locate the dipstick on the front or side of your engine. This is typically indicated by a yellow pull-ring on a long handle, and you’ll know you’ve got the right part if a long, thin metal band comes out when you pop it loose.
Next, clean the dipstick using a clean rag or paper towel, and reinsert it into the engine. Finally, pull it out a third time and note the level of the oil as indicated on the bottom of the stick. The oil line should be fairly noticeable, so you’ll be able to tell if you’re short on oil for any reason.
What to Look For
The color of your oil is the primary thing you’ll want to look for. Oil that is honey colored to medium brown is in good condition, and is still capable of protecting your engine. However, if your engine oil is dark brown or black, it’s time to visit Rusty Wallace Cadillac GMC for an oil and filter change.
On the other hand, if your oil is milky rather than translucent, that’s a sign that you’ve got coolant leaking into your engine, and it’s time to get your vehicle to our team as quickly as possible.