A car engine is one of the most amazing machines we use on a daily basis yet very few check its lifeblood: oil. 

The oil in the crankcase of your engine is critical to long and healthy motor life. Without it, your engine would freeze up in a matter of minutes.

Habib Semambo, a mechanic in Gastata, says that checking your car oil levels is a simple and crucial procedure.

He emphasises that it is advised to drive the car first before checking so that the oil circulates the entire engine.

Let the engine cool for at least five minutes before checking, to give the oil time to settle into the sump.

With the hood open, locate the dipstick which is always near the front of the engine. Once found, wipe it with a clean rag and reinsert it into hole. Then slowly remove it and check the oil level.

The oil mark should fall between the two hash marks on the dipstick. If it’s below the lower level, you need to add oil. But before you do add, wipe the dipstick again and check it a second time.

If still low, add a quart and recheck it. It’s advisable start the engine so that oil circulates after its addition.

Be sure to use motor oil which respects the indications in your car owner’s manual. You should not use oil different than that which is indicated in the car’s manual since it could damage the car.

Most new cars can use a wide range of motor oils which reach certain standard.

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