Please help an ignorant girl with her car...?

Question

my car burns a small amount of oil which I am not concerned about as it revs quite high. I check the oil often and I think it is getting dangerously low. I went out and bought the right oil and I just wanted to make sure that I can pour it in. I wasn't sure if I could pour new oil in with old oil and will it settle right away so I can read the stick to see if I've added enough? I am worried about pouring too much in. Appreciate the help :)

Answer 1

Yes, old and new can be mixed together. Just ensure it's the same oil weight ie: 10-30w or 30w, if in doubt put in 10-30, you can't go wrong particularly with already and oil burner.

Answer 2

First of all, don't worry about mixing new oil with the old - it won't affect anything.  Second, in order to avoid overfilling your crankcase, put a small amount in at a time - for instance, start pouring and count to five at a regular pace while doing it, and then check the oil on the dipstick, being sure to wipe the stick first.  Do this until the oil reaches the top of the crosshatched area on the stick.  The oil may be checked as soon as you stop pouring it, since it flows to the bottom end of the engine pretty quickly.

Answer 3

Wow. Smart of you to ask. Anyway, with the engine off, you should let the car sit for a few minutes at least before checking the oil level. I'm assuming you are looking at the dipstick. There are two marks. MIN and MAX. You don't want it to go below the MIN mark, and don't want it to be above the MAX mark. Pull the dipstcik straight out and up, don't turn it over. Try not to add oil before the MIN mark is reached. Most cars will take about a quart of oil to get from MIN to MAX on the dipstick. Don't get crazy if it's a bit under or a tiny bit over. You can add the proper oil at any time it's needed. You still need to change the oil at the proper intervals. If you're burning oil, you may want to switch to an oil made for higher mileage cars at the next oil change, and use that same oil to top it up when needed. You mention you're a girl. Well, at the auto supply shop or gas station, you will almost certainly be able to find a wolf, I mean guy, to show how to check and top up the oil if you need help. Good luck.  

Answer 4

Check the stick first before adding and then add 1 quart if needed and let it sit for awhile then recheck the stick, add more if needed.

Answer 5

The oil falls right down into the oil pan where the dipstick is so unless you've drained the oil and changed the filter without running the engine the dipstick will have the correct level.

You don't have to fill it to the top and you should get your oil changed every 3-6 months depending on what oil you use which if it's burning only a small amount will keep you from having to fill it constantly.