How to Properly to Check your Oil from Ohio's Engine Oil Experts

The most vital fluid that goes into the engineering of your vehicle is without a doubt your engine oil. The main purpose it serves is to lubricate the many moving parts inside your engine, preventing metal breakdown, and ensuring a proper compression within the cylinders. Checking your oil is a relatively straight forward process, and should be done occasionally in between oil changes. For more information on how long you should wait in between oil changes, visit our blog post here. Oil changes can be done at any local Bob Sumerel Tire, click the link here to schedule your appointment today!

• Allow your car to run for a little bit before checking it- Checking your oil "cold" can give off an inaccurate reading. It is essential to allow the oil to circulate and warm up before checking it. 
• Always check your oil with your car off- With your car not running, oil has time to settle at the bottom of the oil pan, which is most accurate way of reading your oil dipstick. 
  
• Make certain your car is on a level surface- If your car is on a slope, the oil level will not be "flat," thus giving an inaccurate reading on the dipstick. 
• When taking out the dipstick, do not tip it upside down- Bring the dipstick straight out of the tube, and make sure the bottom of the stick faces down. Flipping it upside down can cause the oil to run, giving an inaccurate reading. 
• Find the two dots/dashes- Most dipsticks have a low/high level represented by two dots, or dashes on the stick. 
• Add oil accordingly- If your oil is below the "low" level, try to add half a quart of oil. Once this is done, check the oil again to see where the level is at, repeat this process until it is between the two dots. 

Typically, when the level is below the "low" dot, it will take approximately 1 quart of oil to get it back to the "full" level. Every car is different however, and you should be cautious not to overfill your oil when you are adding oil. A common misconception about oil is that if it is dark in color, it is dirty, which means it needs to be changed. Color has little to do with the condition of the oil, you should always go off of your mileage when thinking about when you should get it changed next. Take advantage of the coupon at the bottom of this blog to get $5 off any oil change at your local Bob Sumerel Tire!

Please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Yelp.

How Many Miles You Can Safely Drive Over Your Oil Change Sticker

If you have ever taken your vehicle to get an oil change, then the odds are you will also have a fresh new sticker on the top left inside part of your front windshield.  This sticker will typically recommend that you schedule your next oil change in 3,000 miles.  While it doesn't hurt to change your vehicle's oil every 3,000 miles, it doesn't necessarily help either.  The oil change experts at Bob Sumerel Tire Co. have put together a list of 3 things to check to tell when your vehicle really needs its next oil change.

1. Check Your Owner's Manual: Your vehicle's owner's manual will typically recommend how many miles to put in between each oil change.  This can range from 5,000 miles up to 10,000 miles.  Be sure to take into account the kind of driving you do as well, typically you can go a little over what your owner's manual recommends if you do primarily highway driving.  REMEMBER to schedule your oil change soon when you reach the recommended distance in your owner's manual.
2. Change Oil Soon Light: Many newer vehicles will typically come with this sensor installed.
   
     Typically the light will come on around when your owner's manual recommends you get an oil change.  Also, keep in mind that the type of driving you do can greatly affect the lifespan of your vehicle's oil, meaning that the light may come on a little before or after the recommended mileage.  Regardless, when your oil change light comes on, be sure to schedule an oil change with your local Bob Sumerel Tire store ASAP.
3. Check The Oil Quality: If your vehicle does not have a "Change Oil Soon" light installed in it do not
   
   worry!  Simply find the dip stick under your hood.  The first time you pull out the dip stick wipe it clean and then dip it into the oil a second time.  Wipe the oil off the dip stick again.  If the oil is a golden/amber color, then you don't have to worry about getting an oil change soon.  If the oil you wipe off after the second dip is black however, that means you may want to schedule an oil change soon.  Your engine oil will typically turn black from the debris it picks up in the engine.  A good practice is to check your oil at home every 3,000 to 4,000 miles to see if you need an oil change.

Also, be sure to check with your manufacturer to see if synthetic oil would be good in your vehicle's engine.  Synthetic oil can sometimes last between 50,000 and 75,000 miles.  That means BIG savings on your oil change spending.  The next time you find yourself needing an oil change, make sure to call your local Bob Sumerel Tire store and get a free preventative maintenance inspection as an added bonus. 

Please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Yelp.