Most drivers know that motors need oil, but for many the understanding stops there. Here are some things you should know for a better appreciation.

How to check your oil?

Checking your oil level is a fairly simple procedure. experts generally agree that it’s best to drive the car first before checking it. so take a little spin, then find a cool, shady spot to pop the hood.

Let the car sit for at least five minutes before checking, to give the oil time to settle into the sump, or reservoir, at the bottom of the engine.

With the hood open and securely propped, locate the dipstick. its location varies, but you can find it by looking for a brightly colored handle yellow, red or some other noticeable color.

Remove it and wipe it with a clean rag or towel. reinsert it into the hole, then slowly remove it again. Check the 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. Before you do so, though, wipe the dipstick again and check it a second time.

Still low? Add a quart and recheck it. (it’s best to add the oil, then start the engine to circulate it, then let it sit for another five minutes before rechecking.) if it’s still below the lower hash mark, you may need to add another quart, but be careful not to overfill it, as this can lead to other problems.

How often should oil be changed?

If you change your oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles (or every three months, whichever comes first) and check its level regularly, chances are you’ll never experience an oilrelated problem. For drivers using synthetic oil, intervals as long as 5,000 miles or six months between changes are considered acceptable.

Some service centers will tell you that extreme driving conditions, such as stopand- go traffic or extremely cold weather, require more frequent changes. the truth is that every three months or 3,000 miles is pretty extreme. if you aren’t driving in stopand- go traffic, through minus-20-degree blizzards or up mountain passes with a 5,000-pound trailer, you could probably go longer between changes, and there’s certainly almost no condition that would warrant even more frequent changes.

Deciphering oil weight

Oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how thick the oil is. the temperature requirements for oil set by the society of Automotive engineers (sAe) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high).

Oils meeting the sAe’s low-temperature requirements have a “w” (which stands for winter) after the viscosity rating (e.g., sAe 10w), and oils that meet the high-temperature ratings have no letter (e.g., sAe 30). Multi-weight oils (such as sAe 10w-30) are a new invention made possible by adding polymers to oil. the polymers allow the oil to have different weights at different temperatures. the first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature. engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts and thick enough when the engine is hot.

When choosing oil, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your vehicle.

(source: reprinted, in part, from 2008 Cstco Almanac)

When it does come time for an oil change, stop by Whole Auto and let us take care of everything for you. Whether it is just checking your oil level or changing fluids and filters — we’re here to help.