Changing the oil in the car - here are 8 tips

How long has it been since you last checked the oil level in your engine? This should be done regularly. And it's especially important if you have an older car that may not be serviced regularly.

Oil is the car's equivalent of the blood in your body. Its main job is to lubricate the engine's important parts so they don't wear out. That's why it's important to check the oil level from time to time, even if you don't change the oil yourself.

However, oil has more functions than lubricating the engine. It helps cool the engine, dissolves dirt and keeps the engine clean, and also seals gaskets and piston rings.

What does the oil dipstick tell you?

When you check the oil level, you take out the dipstick, wipe it off, and put it back in. Then you pull it out again. Now you can check the oil level using the markings, but also take a look at the color of the oil – here are some things the dipstick can tell you:

• Too low level: Add more oil, about half a liter at a time. Let the car sit for 15 minutes between filling and starting, so that all the oil has drained back into the oil pan.

• Too high level: This could be due to fuel leaking past worn piston rings. However, on a newer car, it is more likely that you have overfilled the oil, as such severe wear is quite unlikely.

• The oil is golden yellow: Means the oil is fresh and recently changed.

• The oil is light brown: A warning sign. This means that the oil has been mixed with water. This may be due to a coolant leak. Contact a workshop.

• The oil is black: Nothing to worry about. It's soot and other dirt that has dissolved and is floating in the oil.

• Brown foam on the dipstick and in the cap: Condensation has collected in the oil. This usually happens during short runs when the oil does not have time to get hot enough for the water to boil away. The next time you run the engine for a longer period, the oil will return to normal.

How often should you buy oil for your car?

The simple answer to how often you should buy new oil for your car is to follow the car manufacturer's recommendations. Generally speaking, it is said that you should change your oil at least every two years – but ideally, you should do it every year.

If you also have many cold starts, drive many short distances or often tow a caravan, it may be a good idea to change the oil at even more frequent intervals.

8 quick tips when it comes to oil and oil changes

1. Check the oil level regularly. For example, when you wash the car.

Top up if necessary.

2. Change the oil according to the interval specified in the car's manual.

3. Do not overload the engine or rev it hard before it has warmed up.

4. Look at the price tag. Good oil costs a lot.

5. Always change the oil filter at the same time as the oil change.

6. Collect the oil and take it to a recycling center.

7. It is advisable to change the oil an extra time between service intervals if it is often exposed to heavy loads.

8. Ignore the various additives available for purchase. Good oil contains everything you need.

Oil change – price at different workshops

There are more difficult things in life than changing the oil yourself. But most people still choose to take their car to a garage to have the oil changed. Often, the oil change is done in conjunction with the car being serviced. At the same time, you also get a stamp in the service book, which you don't get if you change the oil yourself.

The price of an oil change can vary greatly, and it's important to choose carefully. There are those who do oil changes for a thousand kronor, while a branded workshop can charge up to 4,000 kronor. The price depends partly on how much oil is used, and what type of oil they use.

Which oil for the car is best?

When buying oil for your car, it's important to choose a quality oil with the right viscosity. It's not just about taking the first best – or cheapest – oil you find on the shelf.

ACEA classification, excuse me, what did you say?

ACEA is a cooperative organization for European car manufacturers. Among other things, they develop classifications of engine oils with special regard to European engines and operating conditions.

To meet the requirements for a quality class, the oil must pass both laboratory and engine tests. As long as the engine oil meets these requirements, it doesn't matter which brand you choose!

What does viscosity mean?

The properties of motor oil have changed a lot over the years. Much of the development has been about trying to achieve less friction and thus lower fuel consumption. As a result of that research, we have seen how viscosity classes have become increasingly lower.

Low viscosity oil has the property of being pumped around the car more easily because it is more fluid than thicker oils. However, if the oil is too fluid, its lubricating properties can deteriorate, with the risk of parts such as timing chains wearing out prematurely.

So which oil should you choose? The easiest thing to do is to take a look in the owner's manual and choose one of the oils that the car manufacturer recommends.

Should you change the oil filter at the same time as changing the oil?

When you take your car in for service, the oil is usually changed, and at the same time the workshop replaces the oil filter. The filter helps keep the oil clean, and since a lot of dirt collects in the filter, this should also be replaced once a year. Therefore, it is often a given that both the oil and filter are changed at the same time. The filter also costs a pittance in this context.