Right I have a Ford Ka.

It's the first time I have had a car on my own and the last couple of days the oil light has flicked on just for a second if I have stopped a bit sharpish at a roundabout or something.


Got the oil recommended by my mechanic.

Got the dipstick and it only went in the bit where the oil goes down about 3 inches.

I poured about 250 ml of oil in and left it at that as I haven't a clue.

Help!

OK on the dipstick there will be two marks (min and max) after the car has been left to stand for about a hour pull out the dipstick and see if the oil coats the stick from the bottom upto between the two lines. Also look at the oil coating the stick, if it's a coally black colour you need a complete oil change.

250 ml sounds a bit too much so I wouldn't add anymore

Also is there any sign of oil on the road or drive after the car has been parked overnight?

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Pone ubi sol non lucet!

Thanks Sooty,

Will try the dipstick again in the morning. No oil in the road at all.

How far down should the dipstick go?

Intervening here...the dipstick should go down as far as you can push it..It'll come to a natural halt anyway when you get bit you're holding to the top of the tube.

Right, haven't checked the dipstick again - yet.

But went on the school run, 26 mile round trip everything fine, no light flicking on and no oil in the road.

Have to have it mot'd next month so as long as everything stays fine will try and get it serviced and an oil change, as long as nothing really expensive needs doing!

I didn't say you needed and oil change! Be careful if you ask a garage for an oil change and (excuse the sexism) seeing that you are female they will probably try and talk you into changing all the filters the plugs, sump plug gaskets the use of flushing oil etc that you probably don't need then charge you £100 + 50 for the MOT. My wife used to get this all the time. It just sounds like you've burned a little oil. Nothing to worry about unless there is a lot of smoke coming out of the exhaust when the engine is warm.

How many miles has the car done and when was the oil last changed?

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Pone ubi sol non lucet!

No idea when it was last changed, was told it was serviced last August, but it hadn't done a lot of mileage since then.

I've done 5k in it since I got it in May.

It's on 65k now V reg.

My mechanic is pretty good, I've used him almost 20 yrs. Hes 20 miles away to me since I moved, but I still use him, went to the guys garage I bought it from, but didn't really like the bloke.

It's usually recommended to change the oil at least once a year, or 12000 miles, which ever comes first.

I'm sure Sooty will put me right if he feels differently.

It's very short journeys, one where the engine, exhaust and so on doesn't get a chance to warm up, that is the most damaging to a car. I think you do a 26 mile round trip for the school run, which is fine.

Incidentally, the recommended oil change interval in Houston was 3000 miles due to the adverse conditions.

Thanks Jezer, will get my bloke to see what what next month.