Engine Oil: Service and Repair

Checking the engine oil level:

6 - Cylinder Engine:

4 - Cylinder Engine:

The best time to check the engine oil level is when the oil is warm.

To get a true reading, the vehicle must been level ground.

^ After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.

^ Pull out dipstick (arrow) and wipe it clean with a rag.

^ Reinsert dipstick; push it all the way in.

^ Pull dipstick out again and read the level.

a - You must not add oil.

b - You can add oil.

c - You must add oil. After putting in oil, make sure that the oil level is somewhere within the b range.

^ Make sure that the dipstick is pushed in all the way.

Adding engine oil:




^ Turn off engine.

^ Unscrew the oil cap from the cylinder head cover.

^ Add oil by a half quart (half liter) at a time.

^ Check the oil level with the dipstick.

The oil level must never be above the"a" mark. Otherwise oil could be drawn into the crankcase breather and get into the atmosphere through the exhaust system. The oil would then burn in the catalytic converter and cause damage.

Changing the engine oil:

The engine oil must be changed according to the intervals specified in your Maintenance booklet.

This is very important because the lubricating properties of oil diminish gradually during normal vehicle use.

Under some circumstances the engine oil should be changed more frequently. Change oil more often if you drive mostly short distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or under predominantly stop-and-go traffic conditions, or have your vehicle where temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods.

Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the engine has been running for a short time. This is normal and is not a reason to change the oil more often than recommended.