Almost every auto driver & automobile owner knows that motor oil is a vital lubricant, but in addition did you know that it provides almost half the engine’s cooling. In addition, although running a small rpm engine, two quarts low on oil may never cause the oil pressure engine oil light to go on and light up, it may still cut the life of the engine in half. That is why checking your vehicle’s engine oil is just so vital and important. And with the advent of self-service gasoline stations, motorists no longer depend on gas station attendants to do that job and function.

To check your auto engine’s oil first turn off the engine. Locate the dipstick. Generally look for a loop of flat wire located on the side or front of the engine. If the engine has been running, be careful as the dipstick is surrounding engine parts and will be hot. Grab the loop, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off with a rag or paper towel, and reinsert it back into the engine.

Next pull the oil dipstick out again and carefully not and observe the oil level. You should be able to see that full and add are marked at the end of the engine oil dipstick. If the level is below the “add “and the “full “marks then everything is kosher and you are perfectly fine and ok. However if the engine oil residue line is below those marks – that is below the “add” or “min” ( minimum) mark you should definitely add replacement engine oil until it reaches the “full” or “max” ( that is maximum oil ) lines.

How do you add motor oil to your engine? Again it’s a shame that we no longer have the services of gas station attendants to do this standard auto maintenance practice at most of our self service gas stations. It is a simple procedure and function though for the most part and in most cases of routine auto maintenance and care.

To put in engine oil remove the oil filler cap, which is typically is at the top of your car or truck’s engine. Some of the time if your engine is very low on oil ,especially if you have an older engine that “burns oil” you may even have to add more than one quart of oil. Take care however not to overfill your engine oil past its capacity and the full or maximum oil mark on the engine oil measurement dipstick. Too much oil and overfilling your oil can cause engine damage and damages as well.

Lastly how often should you check your engine oil? Experienced auto mechanics and auto dealership service writers generally advise that a good practice and adage to follow is to check your engine oil via the oil dipstick every second time you gas up and fill up your vehicle with gas or diesel fuel. Checking your automobile’s engine oil is that simple and routine a standard practice of auto ownership and auto driving.

Author Bio: Alan I. Schacter Derrick Dodge Canada’s largest Chrysler Volume Dealer High Auto Truck Sales Volume means Lowest Prices Edmonton Jeep Compass 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8