Engine oil, like the lifeblood of an engine, is as important to its lifespan as blood is to life. Regular replacement is essential, and daily liquid level protection is like a gentle stream nourishing the mechanical heart, never slackening. Vehicle inspection before long-distance travel has become a routine for many drivers, and oil inspection is of utmost importance. As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, the number of self driving teams is growing, and a comprehensive physical examination of your car is naturally indispensable.

    We often witness experienced drivers gently lifting the mysterious veil of the engine hood, looking left and right, and never forgetting to pull out the dipstick. Their focused gaze seems to be exploring the mysteries of mechanics. However, this seemingly simple liquid level check actually has hidden mysteries. The inspection results of hot and cold cars are vastly different, and the timing is not right. It's like looking at a flower in the fog, making it difficult to distinguish between authenticity.

When the car is cool, the oil level hangs high, like snow on a mountain top, pure and proud; As the car heats up, the liquid level quietly drops, like a gentle and gentle stream at the bottom of a valley. The mystery lies in the thermal expansion and contraction of engine oil. After the car heats up, the engine oil expands like boiling water, with a sudden increase in volume and a natural rise in fluid level. In addition, the oil is transported to every corner of the engine, around the piston and lubrication parts, everywhere is soaked with the lubricant of life, and the oil in the oil pan is stretched thin. After the car cools down, the wandering engine oil returns to its nest like a tired bird, flowing back to the oil pan one after another, and the liquid level also returns to its former glory.

Check the oil level, both cool and warm the car at the right time. But regardless of heat or cold, one principle must be followed: let all the oil return to its nest in order to truly understand its essence. Cold car inspection, no need to wait too long, simply pull out the ruler, it is clear at a glance, this is the most standard method. For example, if a vehicle sleeps overnight, before starting a fire, or if the engine is turned off for two or three hours and the body has already cooled down, it is most appropriate to inspect it at this time.

If you forget to check when the car is cool, have already ignited, and are eager to know the fluid level and unwilling to wait, you can also do a hot car check. There are also two situations for hot car inspection. Firstly, the vehicle has been heated to the extreme, with the water temperature approaching the normal working temperature of 90 degrees. At this point, turn off the engine and wait for ten minutes. The engine oil returns to its nest like a tired bird, although not extremely accurate, it is almost the same. Secondly, after igniting for three minutes, the car had not yet warmed up and suddenly remembered that the engine oil had not been checked, hastily turning off the engine. In this situation and scenery, we need to wait a little longer, about twenty minutes. The low temperature and poor fluidity of engine oil are like unburned gunpowder, requiring external assistance to ignite. After ignition, the power of the oil pump reaches the top of the engine in an instant; But when it flows back, it is like a lonely boat drifting alone, relying solely on its own gravity, slowly returning. Therefore, the required time is longer.

The inspection conditions are met, and the oil level needs to fluctuate between the lowest and highest marks. If it is high, it will overflow, and if it is low, it will be deficient, which is not desirable. If the vehicle is burning oil, the fluid level should be slightly higher, preferably at the highest mark. If the liquid level is close to the lowest point, although there is no alarm yet, it is best to take preventive measures and replenish the engine oil in a timely manner.

If you are an experienced driver or maintenance expert, your understanding of cars is like a treasure trove. When inspecting, you don't have to be bound by the time, and the liquid level also varies with time. If the cold car is not ignited, the liquid level may be slightly higher, at three-quarters or the highest mark, which is suitable. Check the engine immediately after turning off the hot car, the liquid level is half or slightly low, and there is no major problem.

Finally, when checking the fluid level, remember to park the car on a flat surface to obtain the standard result. Pull out the oil dipstick, don't rush to check it first. Wipe it clean before inserting and then pulling it out. In this way, the liquid level can be clearly distinguished like a mirror.