Checking Engine Oil levels

Follow these simple steps when checking the oil in your car. Checking the oil is the single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your cars engine.

You will need a cloth!

• First of all, make sure your car is parked on a level surface. If your car has just been driven, always wait 10 minutes for the oil to settle. This will ensure you get a correct reading of the oil level.
  
  
• Release the bonnet catch (normally found in the drivers side footwell), open the bonnet and make sure it is propped up correctly.
  
  
• Locate and remove the dipstick (the dipstick is a long rod with a small yellow or red handle). Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with your cloth!
  
  
• re-insert the dipstick (make sure it goes right in) then take it out again and keep it level so the oil doesn’t run.
  
  
• The oil level can be read by looking to see where the oily part ends and the dry part begins. The diptick  has a minimum and a maximum marker (see pic).  If the level is close to or below the minimum marker, oil needs to be added.
  
  
• If you feel confident to add new oil, consult your owners manual for for the correct grade of oil.
  
  
• The new oil is filled through the oil filler which is located on the top of the engine.
  

Do not add more than 250ml of oil at one time, then wait 10 minutes and check the oil level again. This will ensure that you do not overfill.

Important things to remember

1. Park on level ground
2. Make sure you haven’t driven the car for more than 10 minutes
3. When topping up, don’t add more than 250ml at a time.
4. Check the oil once a month and before embarking on long journeys.

If you are unsure about checking the oil, visit your local Wynn’s Service Centre and ask them to advise you.

Screen Wash - Checking and Filling

There are two kinds of screen-wash;

Summer: designed to clear away insects and road grime.

Winter: designed to clear away road grime, but also contains anti-freeze to prevent the washer bottle from freezing and potentially splitting in the event of a cold spell.

Warning: When topping up the screen wash, always make sure you are filling the correct bottle! On some cars the screen-wash and power-steering caps look very similar! Cars to watch out for are the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio.

Checking and understanding tyre pressures

The wrong tyre pressures can seriously alter the way you car feels on the road. It can also cause uneven tyre wear and lower fuel economy. The tyres on you car are designed to run at a certain pressure to afford the best grip wear characteristics and economy. If the pressures are too low, the tyres will wear on the edges and cause more drag. This will result in higher fuel consumption and excessive tyre wear. If the pressures are too high, the tyres will have less grip and wear unevenly in the middle.

How to check your tyre pressures

Tyre pressures are measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). The tyre guage often has two measurements; PSI and ‘bar.’ One bar is 14 psi. The correct tyre pressures can normally be found in the owners handbook, on the door pillar or on the inside the fuel filler flap. If you cannot find the correct tyre pressures or you are worried about uneven tyre wear, seek professional advice at your local garage. Remember to check tyres pressures regularly to ensure optimal road holding, tyre wear and economy.

Checking tyre depth

Tread depth on new tyres is normally over 7mm. The legal limit is 1.6mm, but ROSPA recommend changing the tyres when the tread depth is 3mm. This is to ensure better grip, especially in wet or slippery conditions.

The wrong fuel! 

Do not be too embarrassed if you’ve filled up with the wrong fuel. Around 150,000 people fill up incorrectly every year! 95 percent of those are people putting petrol into diesel vehicles. This is because the diesel filler neck is wider, there are more diesel vehicles on the road and multi car ownership. The results of misfuelling can be expensive. Petrol damages the lubricating process of the modern diesel engines.

What should I do if I accidentally fill up with the wrong fuel?

If you realise your mistake early, do not start the engine. Simply contact your nearest Wynn’s service Centre or local garage. They will be able to advise you.

How will the garage fix my car?

If the car hasn’t been started, the garage will simply drain your tank and add some of the correct fuel. They will also add a fuel system cleaner which helps to clean, lubricate and protect the fuel system. If the car has been started, the garage will drain the tank, clean the hoses and change the fuel filters. In some cases, additional work may be required. Your local garage will advise you of this.