Car Engine Oil Pressure Systems
The engine of a modern car is very complicated and is frequently completely sealed to prevent intervention so it is virtually impossible to do any DIY or adjustments on the engine yourself. Most tune-ups are done by a computer rather than a wrench these days. However there are some areas that we need to pay attention to ourselves. One of these is the oil system.
Your car’s oil system is critical to the long life of your engine. Knowing this we can appreciate how important it is to take good care of the engine by looking after its oil supply.
Make sure you use quality oil. American Petroleum Institute approved oil is best. It contains the necessary additives to control the thickness of the oil, to help clean the engine and to prevent corrosion. The cheap oil change may seem like a good idea at the time but in the long run it can shorten the life expectancy of the engine.
The oil level should be checked every month or so. More frequently if you drive a lot of miles. When the level gets too low the oil pressure will fall. This makes it harder for the oil to lubricate moving parts like the pistons in the cylinders, and the bearings in the crankshaft. Without sufficient lubrication the parts get damaged. You’ll hear a knocking sound coming from the engine as they collide and begin to wear each other away. Not only this but the oil keeps them cool, so not having enough oil can cause the engine to overheat. In extreme cases the metals can melt together causing irreparable damage. When topping up the engine make sure you don’t over fill it. This can create problems of its own.
A good source of information about all aspects of the oil system is the oil pressure gauge guide blog.
