On a hot summer day with a heavily loaded holiday car, the load on the car is much higher than usual. In addition to lubricating all the moving parts, the oil helps to keep the temperature in the engine at a normal level.
Before you go on a car holiday this summer, it is therefore absolutely necessary that you check that there is enough oil on the engine. You must also check whether the oil is good enough to withstand a long trip, without exposing the engine to extra wear.
Two things save the car holiday
Open the hood
It’s very simple. Open the hood. It is not dangerous, although many feel it. On most cars, the opener is located on the left side by the pedals. Do it with a cold engine while the car is on flat ground. If you have just driven, wait a few minutes after the engine has been switched off so that oil can flow back to the bottom of the engine.
IMPORTANT: Too little oil causes increased engine wear, especially when driving around with heavy holiday loads on hot summer days. Check before you travel. Photo: Rune Korsvoll
sea view
The dipstick on most cars is marked in yellow or orange. Pull it up, wipe it with a piece of paper, put it back in place and pull it up again. Then the oil level in the engine will be displayed on the pin. The level should be at the maximum mark on the pin.
This is how far the car goes when the light is on
Bring oil
If it is on the minimum mark, it is missing between 0.5 and 0.8 liters of oil on most cars. Check the car’s instruction manual if you are unsure. Or you can top up 0.5 liters, wait a few minutes and test the oil again to see how high the level has risen. A box of spare oil can be good to take with you on your holiday trip.
RED DANGER: When this light is on, it is too late to regret not checking the oil before you left: Stop immediately, check the oil. With too little oil, the engine can break. A spare box with oil in the car can save the holiday trip. Photo: Rune Korsvoll
sea view
Some modern cars do not have a dipstick for the oil. Then you are at the mercy of information you get on the instruments.
Reveals engine failure
As soon as you have the dipstick up, you can check a few other things: New oil has a hazel and almost transparent color. If the oil is black and tough, it is well used and should be changed before you go on holiday. If the oil is gray, it indicates that water may have entered the oil. Not good. Check with a workshop what could be wrong. Rub the oil between your thumb and forefinger. If it does not feel smooth, but “grainy”, it must also be replaced.
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