Let’s go to the basics. Your engine has many moving metal parts. Friction occurs when moving parts come into contact with each other. Friction generates heat. Combustion also creates heat, and the combustion inside your car’s cylinders produces the energy your car needs to run. The faster you drive, the faster the metal parts will move because the cylinders move through the combustion cycle more frequently. Too much heat from friction and combustion means that the metal parts get very hot. Motor oil is used in your engine to cool metal parts and reduce friction. Therefore, your vehicle needs oil. Without oil, your engine will stall and become a useless block of metal. If this happens, your motor is toasted and will need to be replaced.
This pretty much sums up (somewhat simplified) the cause and effect operation of a car engine. History lesson: Your car needs oil. Think of your dipstick as the “oil gauge” for your car’s engine. It is marked with a “complete” line and an “add” line. To check your engine oil, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinstall it. Then pull it out again and see where the oil level reads. If it’s between the “add” and “complete” lines, you’re probably done. However, if the dipstick remains dry the second time you remove it, there is a problem.
What to do if the dipstick is dry
Assuming your engine hasn’t stopped yet, you should add some oil before starting the car again. You want to see it on the rod. If the engine oil warning light doesn’t come on on your dash, you may be in luck and have two to two and a half liters left in the engine. Be sure to add the appropriate type of oil for your vehicle, which can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or engine oil manual. A complete oil change is required at this point. Either have it done by a mechanic or do it yourself. Synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil because it provides more protection, lasts longer, and retains its properties at higher temperatures. If your dipstick is dry, your car has an emergency. To deal with the emergency head on, synthetic oil is the way to go.
Take your car to the car hospital
Once you’ve added the proper oil to your engine, take it to a mechanic to have them inspect for damage, assuming your car will work. Ask them to do the oil change (if you haven’t done it yourself) and let them know. They should look at the oil drained from your engine to check for metal parts and signs of deposits. If you’re lucky, it will fix the problem before any further damage is done. If you’re not so lucky, the repair bill will be high for a service that costs up to and possibly includes a new engine.
Learn the lesson before you experiment
Changing your car’s oil once a month (or more) and checking the level is prudent preventative maintenance. It can be inconvenient, but it’s cheap insurance against a large and unnecessary repair bill. So grab your “dipstick” and keep your engine running smoothly by using the best synthetic oil that’s right for your vehicle.
There are various grades and weights of motor oil. Make sure you find the correct type of oil for your vehicle.