Car engine levels

CliveOfIndia

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

As others have said, it desperately needs some oil; probably best to consider an oil and filter change* given it's a bit black and dirty looking.  Put some in anyway until you can arrange the change, as it's low.

This.  Yes, ideally get the oil and filter changed as a minimum when you can, but get some oil in there straight away as a stop-gap measure.  Running very low on oil tends to make an engine sulk somewhat.  Put in enough to bring the level to somewhere between the minimum and maximum marks (the two notches on the dipstick).

A couple of things to remember when checking the oil.  First, make sure the car is parked on level (or as level as is practical) ground.  You'll get an incorrect reading if it's parked on a slope.  Second, if you've just had the engine running, let it sit for a couple of minutes or so after you switch it off, to let the oil drain back down into the sump, before you take a reading.

Oh, and don't be tempted to put too much oil in, i.e. don't let it go above the maximum mark on the dipstick. Too much oil can be almost as bad as too little.

JamesFromSomewhere

Thank you all for the comments, I've read them all. I'll get a service when it's next up for MOT. The washer fluid and oil levels are now fine. Maybe it's just in my head, but I'm sure it's driving better now 😅

Ditzy_Mitzy

JamesFromSomewhere said:

Thank you all for the comments, I've read them all. I'll get a service when it's next up for MOT. The washer fluid and oil levels are now fine. Maybe it's just in my head, but I'm sure it's driving better now 😅

Cars generally feel as if they drive better after work, even if they aren't really any different.  It's a variety of the placebo effect that can be prompted by something as simple as a wash and vacuum inside.  

Well done for topping up the fluids.  Your next task is to check the tyre pressures and condition.  The car really will drive better once that's up to scratch.  

Krakkkers

My sister came over in her car and i noticed one tyre had extremely low pressure in but when i asked if she checks her tyre pressures she looked puzzled and said "its a lease car?"

sevenhills

Brie said:

I've never had a car fancy enough to have a washer fluid indicator anywhere.  So when it stops working I just tip in some fluid until I can see it and it most likely overflows.  I don't bother to check it regularly as others have recommended because I'm lazy.  I do check the OH's monster car before we go on long trips but my tiddle toy car is only used for local commuting so less of a disaster if something goes wrong.  

But it's illegal to drive your car without working windscreen washers.

You could fill it up every week, whether it needs it or not?

born_again

Keep washer topped up. At this time of year with decent quality screen wash fluid that has decent anti freeze protection.

baser999

Agree with everyone else. It would pay to invest money in having a local reputable garage check and replace as appropriate all the fluids. The oil certainly needs topping up and does look very black so you are likely needing a new oil filter as well.
What are the other essentials such as brakes like? 

400ixl

JamesFromSomewhere said:

Thank you all for the comments, I've read them all. I'll get a service when it's next up for MOT. The washer fluid and oil levels are now fine. Maybe it's just in my head, but I'm sure it's driving better now 😅

When was it last serviced and when is the MOT due?

It looks like it has been horribly neglected (or it has a bad oil leak or burning oil) and leaving it long before a service is a false economy.

Reddleman79

Make sure the car is on a level surface when checking the engine oil.

oldagetraveller1

I am surprised that nobody has asked why it's taken "about a month" to carry out basic checks on their car? Not only the routine ones but safety items too. e.g. tyres, lights etc.. Or that long to ask for assistance.