Topping up Oil

[leestudd30]

I'm going away on honeymoon in a weeks time and I'm bit concerned about the oil level. The oil level on the dash gauge was just under max but the dipstick looked closer to the lower notch. Is it ok it just to top it up? Unfortunately I have no idea what kind is already in but I'd just put semi synth in.

[steve_earwig]

Not sure about the grade (although I'm fairly sure it'll be semi-skimmed already) but I'd trust the stick to be telling the truth, rather than trusting to a bit of electrickery.

[madmadmax]

make shour you are checking the oil on level ground and its not got the back end going down hill

[Ares]

yes,always is better to trust to that stick for oil level.
Put the car on level ground and than check it later.
My car tends to show also sometimes different levels of oil.

If you arent sure about oil,and if it shows low level,you be safe changing the oil.

[leestudd30]

Thanks for that, it is parked on the level so I better get some more! Could someone just remind me what grade of oil I need to put in?

[Welly]

Use 10W/40 semi-synthetic.

The oil level for any engine should be kept 'between' min and max. My car doesn't seem to like sitting dead-on Max and appears to eat the stuff until it settles to about 3/4 of the way between min/max. I gave up trying to keep it on 'max' on the basis that Maximum means maximum and low and behold it once it settles to its own level it stays there - for ever. Mind you the grade is 0w/30 so is like cats piss for the most part and I'm not one for holding back on full acceleration so I can forgive it sipping a bit here and there.

[leestudd30]

Thanks you, now 2 more daft questions lol. I've found a can of oil at home, its 10W 40 semi synth but GM's own stuff, is that ok to use? The other question, I've run out of screenwash and I've not got time to get anyway before I go away, could I get away with adding in a bit of washing up liquid instead?

[steve_earwig]

I don't see why not and I don't see why not. Just a few drops mind, it's hard to see through a sea of foam... You could always get some proper stuff from a gas station on your travels.