December 5, 2022
5 Easy Steps to Do a Crucial Maintenance Job
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Checking your car’s engine oil regularly can save you big bucks in costly repairs. By always making sure that your engine has enough oil, and that the oil quality is good, you’ll steer clear of any disastrous engine failure and road mishaps.
Why is this so? It’s because your oil is what’s keeping your car running smoothly and efficiently, as it lubricates the engine’s internal moving parts. Plus, it prevents dirt buildup in your engine and keeps it from overheating.
Especially if you’re driving an older vehicle or one with high mileage, it’s crucial to check your oil periodically.
A car with an odometer that has reached the 100,000-mile mark will experience wear on the engine, eventually causing it to burn off small amounts of oil while being driven. As for high-mileage vehicles, they just happen to be more prone to oil leaks.
Checking your engine’s oil level doesn’t require a lot of time and effort. You’ll only need a paper towel or a lint-free rag, your vehicle’s owner’s manual, and this quick step-by-step guide as compiled by Veteran Car Donations:
- Prepare your car.
Park your vehicle on level ground with the engine off, the parking brake on, and the transmission in Park mode. Pop open the hood. You may consult your owner’s manual if you’re not sure how to do this.
Most cars today come with a hood-release lever below the instrument panel on the left side. Before you can raise the hood, you’ll need to unlatch a safety catch found under its front edge.
- Find the dipstick.
The dipstick usually has a small orange or yellow circular handle marked with oil can symbol, so it’s something you’d spot quickly.
- Pull the dipstick.
Once you located your dipstick, pull it out of the tube. You’ll see two lines at the tip of the dipstick. The upper line indicates a full oil tank, while the lower one tells you that your oil level is a quart low. Some dipsticks are also inscribed with the words “add” and “full.”
- Take note of the oil level.
Wipe any oil off the dipstick with a rag or paper towel. Then carefully insert it back into the tube, making sure that you push it all the way down. Pull it out again and examine the tip. If the oil level is at the low mark, add a quart of oil after reinserting the dipstick back into the tube.
- Wait and check again.
Find the oil fill location — it may have an oil can icon on it. Remove the fill cap and add oil by pouring in roughly a quarter of the container at a time. After you’re finished adding oil, wait for it to drain down into the crankcase. Pull out the dipstick once again to make sure that the level is now between the low and high marks. The oil level doesn’t necessarily have to be at the high mark. If everything’s OK, reinsert the dipstick back into the tube. The job is done!
Turn Your Beater into a Tool for Transforming Lives
Do you have a spare automobile in your garage that you haven’t used for a long time? Have you been thinking of getting rid of it but don’t have the time, patience, and money to make it sellable? Here’s a much simpler yet more rewarding idea: Donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations.
Not only will you be disposing of it without going through the hassles of selling, but the charitable act will allow you to help the disadvantaged and neglected veterans in your community while getting your share of rewards for your charitable contribution.
We’ll auction off your donated vehicle and use the proceeds to support the life improvement programs of our veteran-focused charity partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations cater to veterans who are homeless, unable to find decent jobs, and suffering from disabilities and serious illnesses, including mental health issues.
Our charity partners use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with housing and financial assistance, employment and livelihood opportunities, family support, free quality health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, and other services meant to uplift their lives.
As our donor, you’ll be entitled to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. We’ll send you the 100% tax-deductible sales receipt of your car soon after its sale.
You’ll also benefit from our free pickup and towing service, which we will provide you wherever your vehicle is located in the country.
Aside from the material rewards in store for you as our donor, you’ll also be privileged to enjoy a most satisfying donating experience, knowing that your act of charity will help transform the lives of our nation’s heroes.
We accept almost all types of vehicles whatever their ages or conditions. Head over to this page to learn what else besides cars qualify for our donation program.
For information on our quick and easy donation process or tax deductions, head over to our FAQs page. Should you have any concerns or questions, call us through our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or write to us here.
Show You Care for Our Heroes Today!
Photo by Arthur Swiffen under Pexels License
Show how much you care for our nation’s heroes by donating a car for their benefit. Such a donation will go a long way in giving them the healthy, decent, and dignified lives they deserve. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!
Last Updated: August 24th, 2023