Let’s be honest; not everyone is an automobile-junkie or in professional matters – a mechanic – to know everything about cars.
However, with everything quickly handed to us in this day and time via the internet, there is no excuse as to why you are not aware of the essentials to tend to your vehicle’s needs.
As of 2020, according to the data shown on Value Penguin, the percentage of US households that own at least one vehicle is at 93.3%.
This data implies that a car is already a basic necessity for every privileged family – more reason to be extra cautious about the safety of your vehicle.
With that idea, ensuring the security of a car comes a consistent rigid inspection of its engine, particularly on the engine oil.
Engine oil as a fundamental constituent
The engine oil provides a variety of aid to the car’s engine, such as lubrication and coolant for the internal components, prevention for the formation of deposits on the different areas of the engine, and reduces the friction between parts.
Its most significant role is it cleanses the built-up oil and by-products from combustion every time the engine performs, resulting in a more efficient and high-performing engine.
However, despite its utmost importance, like anything else, it should be in moderation.
A low level of engine oil can be dangerous for your vehicle as much as having an excessive amount of engine oil.
Neglect of these guidelines can cause severe damages to your car. And we all know that damage equals to costly remedies and stressful dealings, and we do not want that, right?
Knowing when to check, change, and cut back
As consumers, we should always be mindful of the condition of the product we are utilizing.
Does your car start to perform poorly than usual?
Do its parts function accordingly as it should?
The driver should not overlook these kinds of questions, most notably on occasions when the vehicle begins to exhibit symptoms of inefficiency.
Whenever there are complications in regards to your engine oil, there are common ways to improve its status, depending on its demands.
Either it needs an oil change, or it lacks oil. Or on some occasions, it has an overfilled engine oil.
The amount of engine oil required depends on the engine model that the vehicle is utilizing.
The driver should be conscious of how much motor oil that their engine needs to avoid such damages.
Exceeding a liter or more can be identified as overfilled.
You may also confirm this information on your ‘User’s Manual.’
So, how do we know if you have exceeded the required oil level? Here are some common symptoms to see the probability of overfilled engine oil:
- Oil leakage
You may quickly notice this whenever your vehicle is parked, and its space underneath is damped with oil. You may see this occur more often if the oil is overfilling.
- The odor of burning oil
You will observe the smell of burning oil more often when you have overfilled your engine oil; this is due to the oil dripping onto the hot engine body or the exhaust pipe.
- Poor performance
If the overfilling is not regulated immediately, most likely, the car will be inefficient in various ways.
- Frequent atypical engine noises
If you started to hear irregular sounds now and then, it is always the vehicle’s sign that there is something wrong with it.
You need to immediately check not only the engine’s oil level but also its other components if there is any issue partaking.
- Excessive smoke
Abnormality on the color of your car’s exhaust smoke is a sign that your engine is experiencing an issue that needs immediate repairs.
Mainly when the smoke already turned blue, it signifies that there is an oil leakage occurring and worn out piston seals or valve guides.
On the occasion that your car exhibits these symptoms, you need to check your engine or visit your mechanic immediately.
To manually and personally check your oil level, first, you need to park your car on a flat surface, then insert the dipstick on the tube where the oil is situated.
Observe if it has exceeded the mark that indicates the sufficient amount of oil needed.
Is having an overfilled engine oil dangerous?
While it is inevitable to overfill the motor oil, it is still definitely harmful.
Anything excessive is dangerous – most markedly on machines since it always requires strict maintenance.
Despite having oil reservoirs on car engines to accommodate a small amount of excess oil, it still cannot shelter a liter of excess oil.
Thus, it would be best if you still were cautious.
The process of the damage begins when the excess oil proceeds to the crankshaft while it spins and gets mixed to the air, which leads for foaming to occur.
This incident may lead to a reduction in oil pressure due to overheating.
Furthermore, a foamy oil cannot lubricate the components of the engine and will most likely lock-up.
Moreover, if not addressed immediately, seals and gaskets on your car may potentially break and eventually produce oil leaks.
Also, in worse cases, if the oil traveled and coated the whole engine, it will create a “blow-by.” Making the entire car a fire hazard.
Remedies to perform in reducing oil
There are proper procedures to drain the excess oil from your car. The most common methods are the Oil Plug Method and the Suction Pipe Method. Both ways are accessible and effortless to perform.
- Oil Plug Method
This procedure requires a socket wrench and a drain pan.
This procedure is being performed from under the car where the oil plug is placed.
First, situate your drain pipe near the hole where the oil will be dispensed then, turn the cap lose slowly with a socket wrench to let the oil flow out of the engine.
Then, check the oil level with a dipstick to see if its already in the right amount of oil. If not, repeat the procedure until satisfied.
- Suction Pipe Method
In this method, you will need a suction pipe and a drain pipe.
Easily, insert the suction pipe in the same place where you place your dipstick when checking the oil level.
After properly situating the pipe, the tube may start sucking the excess oil.
Recheck the oil level with a dipstick and see if it is already in the right amount.
If not, repeat the procedure until satisfied.
If the mishap has gone through the different areas of the engine and has given the car severe damages, you might want to visit a professional mechanic immediately to administer the needed repairs.
Consistently checking your vehicle for hazards before driving ensures security for you and your passengers and reduces the probability of accidents.
Engine oil is one of the few critical things that we should be attentive to when owning a car.
Overfilled engine oil is not the only threat to your car safety. In order to ensure engine ticking does not occur please ensure you select the correct oil additive for your vehicle!
There are still several things that we should be cautious about to secure our safety every trip. Let this be a start.