Engine Oil: Service and Repair

CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL:

V6 Shown, Other Engine Are Similar:

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

To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on level ground.

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

Always heed WARNINGS! Technician Safety Information

^ 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:

V6 Shown, Other Engine Are Similar:

^ 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.

^ Carefully screw the oil cap back on and insert the oil dipstick all the way. Otherwise oil could leak out when the engine is running.

WARNING: The oil filler cap must be secured to avoid oil spillage, which is a fire hazard.