2007-01-26 21:21:06 · 14 answers · asked by jan j 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You're never going to get people to agree on whether to check it hot or cold.
Cold is easier, since you don't have to deal with touching any hot parts.
Regardless, whatever you do, just check it the same way every time.
If you mean at what interval, you should check every time the mood strikes you. Every time you pop the hood for anything else, as well. You shouldn't go much more than about 5,000 miles (10,000 for some engines and some oils) without CHANGING it, so you should check it more often than that.
The oil-change-place reccomendation of 3000 miles seems pretty reasonable to checking the oil, at least.
If you're driving a Rotary engined car, you should check it every goddamn day.
2007-01-26 23:40:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Checking your oil when the engine is cold is better because all the oil has drained into the oil pan and you will get your highest reading. Now checking for the color as in for changing the oil, I check mine 1 month after I change the oil, then every 2-3 weeks after that. I change my oil when it gets a light brown. My vehicles have never seen black oil. I baby my vehicles. The oil is the bool of you engine, you have to keep it clean constantly. Nver go over 5K miles without an oil change.....
2007-01-27 00:22:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you're asking whether to check the engine oil when hot or cold. Best time is after sitting for a few minutes when the engine is hot to allow the oil time to all return to the sump. Always check it at the same time, i.e. after sitting for a few minutes when hot and always on a level surface, preferably the same place each time..
2007-01-26 21:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Level surface is really what's important. At gas fill up, after engine off for 2 mins is fine. It's not a precision measurment. 1 quart between full and low marks.
2007-01-26 21:24:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every single time you remember, before you start it, it will give a more accurate reading.
You never know when you will get a sudden loss of engine oil
2007-01-26 22:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by Krystle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best time to check it before you start the motor,you find you get the best reading on oil stick
2007-01-26 23:43:35 · answer #6 · answered by ghostwalker077 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when oil is cold car off
2007-01-26 21:25:52 · answer #7 · answered by gregs111 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it leaves you in the middle of the freeway in cold weather after it being turned of for several mins
2007-01-26 21:32:42 · answer #8 · answered by Sweet like Sees Candy's!!! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every Morning before you Start it or more often if you have a leak
2007-01-26 21:25:29 · answer #9 · answered by onlord2004 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when the engine is cold
2007-01-26 21:24:06 · answer #10 · answered by booge 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋