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CHECK ENGINE OIL
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How to check the engine oil
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Place your car at the level place. Stop the engine. Wait for a
while to let the engine oil pour down to the oil pan. Pull the
engine oil dipstick (If you don't know where is the engine oil
dipstick, check your owner's manual).
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Dry
it with a clean rag or tissue. Then set it back all the way down
into its place.
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Now, pull the dipstick again and check the oil level. Normally
it should be at "FULL" mark. For example, here you can
see that it's lower. It's not a big problem, but it would be
better for the engine to top it up. Check the oil condition
also: If it's too black, it's time to change it. If it's
slightly-brown, it's O.K. If it's dark-brown, but still
transparent, it's admissible but better to change it. If it's
white (coffee with milk color) it means the engine coolant mixes
with the engine oil because of some internal engine problem (for
example, blown head gasket). In this case have your car
inspected.
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How to add the engine oil:
It would be better to add the same type and branch of the engine
oil as you already have in the engine. For example, if you have
Mobil SAE 5W - 30, SG in your engine, try to find the same. Add
a little amount of the oil as it's shown in the image. Wait for
a while to let the oil to pour down. Check the oil level again
with the dipstick. If it's still low, add some more. But don't
overfill it. Don't forget to set the dipstick back and close the
oil filler cap when you finished.
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How to check automatic transmission
fluid.
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Place your car at a level surface. Start the engine. Set
transmission lever to the "P" (parking) position, and
let the engine idle (on some cars this process may differ, check
the owners' manual for details). Pull the transmission dipstick.
Check your owners manual to find where such dipstick is placed
in your car.
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Dry it with a lint free clean rag or tissue. Then set it back
carefully all the way down into it's place.
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Pull again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cool, it
should be at the upper end of the "COLD" mark. If the
engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the
"HOT" mark. If it's lower, you should add some amount
of automatic transmission fluid. Check the fluid condition also:
If it's too black and has a burnt smell - your transmission is
not going to last. Normally it should be clean and transparent,
as in the image. Its color may be different, from red to brown.
Wipe the dipstick with clean white paper and look at the paper.
Normally there should be no black deposits, no metal particles,
no dirt left on the paper.
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How to add the transmission fluid:
Check the transmission fluid type in the owners manual. For
example some Chrysler transmissions need only specific type of
fluid and regular fluid like Dexron II can even destroy the
transmission. Add a little amount of the fluid as it's shown in
the image. Wait for a while - let the fluid to flow down. Start
the engine. Check the level again.
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Engine coolant
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Always keep the coolant level
full. Low coolant level cause the engine overheating, which is
vital for the engine.
How to check the engine coolant fluid level:
The coolant level should be between "LOW" and
"FULL" marks in the coolant expansion tank as in the
picture. If it's lower, you should top it up. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank at all, you should add the coolant
into the radiator also. But remember, Never
open the radiator or the expansion tank cap when engine is hot!
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When engine temperature is reduced (few minutes after the engine
has been turned off) , simply add a coolant into the expansion
to "FULL" mark. and into the radiator if necessary.
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