In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various possible reasons for the CEL coming on after an oil change (OC). We’ll discuss methods to address these problems, extinguish the light, and provide additional recommendations to help you tackle this situation.

Understanding the Check Engine Light After an Oil Change

As mentioned earlier, there could be several factors that trigger the CEL to come on after an OC.

Reasons Check Engine Light Appear After an Oil Change

Below, we detail the most common reasons for the CEL to illuminate after an OC:

• Improperly Installed Dipstick: During an OC, the dipstick is often removed, cleaned, and reinserted to check the oil level. An improperly installed dipstick might allow air to enter the engine, potentially causing damage to internal components such as valves, pistons, and cylinder walls. This could lead to the appearance of the CEL;
• Fuel Cap Mismatch: After refueling post-OC, you might accidentally misplace the fuel cap, leaving it loose or not securing it properly. While a minor issue, it can trigger the CEL;
• Low Oil Pressure: Changing out old oil and introducing new oil during an OC could mean that the oil pressure gauge requires time to restore pressure. If the gauge doesn’t calibrate quickly enough, the computer might interpret it as low oil pressure, causing the CEL to activate;
• Incorrect Oil Type: Using an unsuitable oil type can lead to problems triggering the CEL. Different motor oils have varying viscosity, mass, and classifications. Using oil that doesn’t match the vehicle’s technical specifications could compromise lubrication and heat exchange, resulting in the CEL illumination;
• Oil Overfill: Pouring too much oil into the engine can slow down its operation, cause improper functioning, emit smoke from the exhaust pipe, or result in oil leakage. These issues can lead to the CEL turning on.

Resolving the Check Engine Light After an OC

Addressing the CEL issue after an OC involves a careful engine inspection and taking steps to rectify it:

Troubleshooting

• Dipstick Adjustment: Ensure the dipstick is correctly inserted. Inspect the dipstick and its tube for any clogs, then reinsert the dipstick properly;
• Correcting Oil Type: If the wrong oil brand was used, drain it immediately and replace it with the appropriate type of oil. It’s also recommended to change the oil filter;
• Checking the Fuel Cap: Ensure the fuel cap is securely fastened and closed properly;
• Adjusting Oil Level: In the case of oil overfill, use a suction pump to remove excess oil through the dipstick tube or cap orifice.

Allow the car to run for a few minutes to ensure oil circulation and resolve any potential low oil pressure issues.

Resetting the CEL After an OC

If, despite the actions described above, the indicator doesn’t turn off, use either the manual or tool-based reset methods:

• Disconnecting the Battery Terminal: Disconnect the positive terminal of the battery for 15-20 minutes, then reconnect it. This action clears the fault codes responsible for illuminating the CEL indicator, leading to its deactivation;
• Using an OBD II Scanner: To access fault codes and the “Clear” function, use an OBD II scanning tool.

Clearing the codes will reset the CEL indicator.

Driving with the CEL After an Oil Change

While not recommended, driving with the CEL illuminated after an OC might be safe as long as the vehicle behaves normally. However, if the light remains on, it’s advisable to promptly consult a mechanic for a comprehensive diagnosis.

Shaking and CEL After an OC

Engine vibration accompanied by the CEL turning on can result from causes such as using the wrong oil type, oil overfill, low oil level, clogged air filter, or disconnected sensor. These factors are common reasons for the CEL to illuminate after an OC.

To resolve this issue, monitor the oil level, check the air filter’s positioning, use the correct oil type, and inspect disconnected sensors.

Understanding Oil Viscosity and Check Engine Light

Yes, oil viscosity can indeed contribute to the activation of the Check Engine light. Oil viscosity refers to its resistance to flow and shear.

Using oil with an improper viscosity level—either too thin or too thick—can lead to insufficient lubrication or flow restriction, potentially triggering the CEL. To address this problem, use motor oil with the appropriate viscosity.

Driving with the Check Engine Light After an Oil Change

It’s not recommended to drive with the CEL on, especially if it’s flashing. A flashing CEL indicates a serious problem that requires immediate attention. If the light comes on, assess the car’s behavior—check for unusual noises, vibrations, or jerking.

While driving might still be possible, it’s advisable to visit a mechanic for diagnosis and resolution.

In Conclusion

The illumination of the CEL after an oil change can be concerning, especially if accompanied by engine vibration. The main culprits behind this issue include improper oil use, incorrectly installed components, low oil pressure, and oil overfill. Fortunately, you can often address these factors on your own using the methods outlined in this guide.

In cases where attempts to fix the issue don’t extinguish the light, seeking assistance from a specialist is recommended. Remember that the engine malfunction indicator is a valuable gauge of your car’s condition, and taking timely action to address it ensures the smooth and safe operation of your vehicle.

FAQ

The post Check Engine Lights After Changing Oil appeared first on PR-Car Ice.

When traveling by car on the road, various unforeseen situations can occur.

This is especially true when you travel by car with children and animals.

Tourists are always likely to get minor injuries. You can hurt yourself on the rocks in the sea or in the mountains. There is a chance of getting sunburned or burnt in a campsite from a lit fire. You can stretch a muscle or get bruises and abrasions when falling, plant a splinter, etc.

Therefore, you must take care in advance about elementary medicines for your medical kit tourist. Thus in an emergency you will be spared the search for medicines in the nearest pharmacy.

Today we will tell you what to put in the first aid kit and how to use it.

Any hiker’s first aid kit should have at least some bandages, iodine, or green. Plus, it is a good idea to take remedies for those diseases to which you have a predisposition. Well, now let’s list those medications that you need to take in the campaign, going on the road on foot, traveling by car or other form of transport.

First and foremost, the first aid kit should contain bandages.

Dressing aids:
Non-sterile medical bandages (5-7 and 10-14 cm wide) 4 pcs Bandages for open wounds.
Sterile wipes 2 packs Dressing of open wounds.
Bandage on a roll 2 pcs. Tightening of wound edges. Application of small bandages with tissues.
Bactericidal bandage 5 pcs. Small wounds, abrasions.
Bandage elastic 1 pc Sprains, dislocations of joints.

Then need to be completed with ointments, gels and antiseptics.

Antiseptic agents:
Potassium permanganate 1 vial Used as an antiseptic agent externally in aqueous solutions for washing wounds (0, 1 – 0, 5%). Water disinfection.
Iodine 5% 1 vial Wound treatment – around the wound, for skin disinfection.

For pain relief medical kit is equipped with painkillers.

Eating in hiking conditions there is always the possibility of gastrointestinal poisoning. To prevent the effects of food poisoning medical kit should contain specialized medicines.

Potassium permanganate. When poisoning is used to flush the stomach: dilute manganese in 2 liters of water until a slightly pink solution is obtained.

Traveling by car, train or on foot, the tourist is primarily exposed to colds. Therefore, the medical kit should contain medicines for the treatment of the respiratory system.

In addition to all of the above, you should additionally put a scalpel, tweezers, paper and pencil.

The above composition of the tourist first aid kit (first aid kit) may vary depending on the number of people in the group, the distance of the hike, the time of year and terrain.

In conclusion, I would like to say. Even with a fully equipped medical kit first aid tourist, try to observe the basic rules of safety.

The post Travel medical kit – first aid on the road appeared first on PR-Car Ice.

Professional drivers are ready for such situations in frosty weather. But for beginners, a frozen car lock can become a problem. Let’s sort it out.

In frosty weather, very often motorists in the parking lot have to struggle with frozen car locks. The driver sometimes has trouble opening the car door lock in the morning because it simply freezes.

Frost has set in and it is impossible to get into the interior of the car? What should you do to keep the locks and doors from freezing in your car? The door in the car does not lock with the key and does not lock when you turn on the alarm?

Such situations can be very often encountered in the mornings in the winter time of the year in parking lots. As a rule, it happens because the water freezes in the door lock of the car. Often it gets there during car washing. What actions should be taken if the lock picks are covered with ice?

It is rather troublesome to struggle with frozen locks and doors in the car in the morning. It is especially difficult for auto lady. But there is no way out, and it is necessary to go. Therefore, if the lock in the car is frozen and you can’t insert the key into the car door lock, you need to treat the lock channels with a special liquid. Then blow the lock cylinder with air.

Special chemicals are used to defrost door locks. They are available in spray cans. Thanks to sprays, you can easily defrost any icy surface in the car

It seems to us that this would be the safest and most reasonable way to deal with frozen car door locks. Cylinders with lock defroster are not expensive. Therefore, every car enthusiast should have such an alcohol-containing liquid in their arsenal. Using the locks defroster is simple. You need to open the cap. Insert the spout into the latch and press. The liquid gets inside the lock and after a few seconds you can insert the key. The lock is sure to open.

Of course you can also use boiling water but in this case the paintwork of the door will be badly damaged. If hot water gets on the surface of the electronic key, it is very likely to short circuit.

In the winter time, you should blow out all the lock holes after every car wash. This should be done with ordinary compressed air.
Regularly treat the lock picks with silicone grease. It is also a good idea to use this mixture to clean the door seals. This will prevent them from freezing.
Very often motorists, in addition to frozen locks, face with the freezing of the door seal of the car.

In the simplest version, this problem is solved by wiping a clean rag with silicone on the rubber surface of the doors. But it is better to use a proven method, which was worked out for Soviet car enthusiasts.

The way to get rid of freezing car doors is actually simple. After every car wash in the winter time, you need to open all the car doors in the street for a few minutes. This way, the frost will dry out all the wet spots on the doors and body. The surface of the rubber seals will stay dry, and the driver will not have to struggle with frozen car locks.

If you follow these rules, you can forget about the problem of frozen car door locks. A lot of attention should be paid to blowing out the locks of cars that are opened with a key. Silicone grease is desirable to lubricate not only the doors. It is necessary to treat the gas tank lid fasteners, rubber seals of the hood and trunk.

The post If the car lock is frozen and the door won’t open appeared first on PR-Car Ice.

In terms of its importance, a fire extinguisher in the car is an important accessory. As well as a warning triangle, first aid kit, reflective vest, a set of keys and a jack with a spare tire.

Fire extinguisher you may never in your life and will not use. But one day it may save you or your car, yours or someone else’s.

So we strongly recommend that every car owner carry a working fire extinguisher in the car. A car fire extinguisher should be in a place accessible to the driver. This will allow the driver to promptly use it for its intended purpose. What fire extinguisher must be in the car?

Everyone knows that oxygen is a prerequisite for the combustion process. Therefore, the principle of extinguishing a fire with a fire extinguisher is based on limiting the flow of oxygen to the seat of fire. To date, powder, carbon dioxide and foam fire extinguishers are used for vehicles.

Auto fire extinguishers can be different. They come in several types. So today, let’s determine what is by far the best fire extinguisher for the car.

Let’s start with the most common fire extinguishers – powder extinguishers. Powder fire extinguishers take first place in their popularity. The case of the powder fire extinguisher contains a specially made powder. This powder is pressurized with carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air. The exterior of the fire extinguisher is equipped with a pressure gauge. With its help, by the pressure of the gas concentrated inside the cylinder you can monitor the readiness of the fire extinguisher to work.

In practice, such a device requires periodic monitoring of gas pressure and expiration date of the extinguisher. To activate it, the lever must be pressed and the powder will be pressurized to the fire.

The second type of fire extinguisher used is the air-foam type. Air-foam fire extinguishers are quite handy and roomy. They are created on the principle of a small cylinder. To activate this device, it is necessary to remove the fuse and press the lever. At the same time, a foam jet comes out of the cylinder, extinguishing the fire. Due to its small size, such a fire extinguisher can be kept in the cabin and used to quickly extinguish small fires. In addition, the foam of such a device is not as aggressive to the interior of the car as the powder.

The third type used for extinguishing cars is a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. It works due to compressed carbon dioxide gas. Its structure is simple: a working valve, a cylinder and a special nozzle to direct the jet of carbon dioxide in the right direction. Carbon dioxide, leaving the nozzle has a temperature of about minus 8 degrees. Thanks to this effectively knocks down the flames of fire.

But it is worth remembering that during its application you can get frostbite, so you should wear gloves. Also a dangerous concentration of carbon dioxide in the air for a person is 10% or more. Having inhaled such a mixture, a person stops breathing.

The main advantage of the carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is its sparingness to the elements of the car, so its elements practically do not suffer from the carbon dioxide of this device.

All car fire extinguishers are designed for one purpose – to eliminate fire in the car. Therefore, taking into account the properties of fire extinguishers and their cost, any car owner can always choose the best type of fire extinguisher for the car. In most cases, the seat of the fire in the car is in the engine compartment. You need to minimize the distance between the focus of the flame and the user before extinguishing the fire.

In our opinion, powder fire extinguishers are the best choice for the motorist. After all, they can put out almost any type of fire. This means that dry powder will fight fires caused by short circuits or ignition of fuel or organic combustible materials such as upholstery, paper, fabric and wood products that are an integral part of your vehicle.

The post What a car fire extinguisher should be appeared first on PR-Car Ice.

Every day we drive on the roads to work, errands, etc. But we often forget how dangerous it is. In fact, sometimes we are brought back to the harsh reality of driving with a simple press on the brake pedal and the realization that the brakes are not working.

Before we delve into the details of how to respond to brake failure while driving, it’s important to note that total brake failure is rare. This is due to the fact that your car’s braking system is not a single unit. In fact, the brake system is made up of many different components that work together to help your car stop.

How to brake if your brakes fail, How to stop when your brakes don’t work, What to do if your automatic brakes fail, If your brakes fail can you use the handbrake
Every wheel is equipped with a brake system. Depending on the age, make, and model of the vehicle, the brake system may consist of any of the following combinations:

Drum brakes on all four wheels. They are common in classic cars.
Disc brakes on all four wheels. These are common on most modern cars.
Disc brakes on the front wheels, drum brakes on the rear wheels.
If one of these components fails, the other three brake systems will be able to remove the slack and stop the car before an accident occurs.

However, there are several circumstances that can cause a vehicle’s brake system to fail.

The most common of these is natural wear and tear. As brake pads age, they naturally lose their ability to stop the car. To prevent this from happening, you should have your brakes checked several times a year. Typically, most brake pads need to be replaced every 25,000-50,000 miles.

The second most common cause of brake failure is a faulty brake booster. This component is the reason why the brake pedal is easier to press while driving than when the car is off. If the brake booster is malfunctioning, it will take more force on the pedal to stop the car, even if the engine is running.

The last most common cause of brake failure while driving is a phenomenon called brake fade. Brake fade is the result of the brake system overheating due to extreme use or the presence of water in the brake fluid.

In addition, brake fade can result from:

A seized piston in the service cylinder;
Leaking brake fluid in the service cylinder;
A stuck master cylinder piston;
brake fluid leakage in the master cylinder;
Damage or clogging of hoses, lines;
air inflow into the system due to loose fasteners.

God forbid to find out such troubles, as brake system failure or jammed gas pedal while driving on a freeway. However, life is such, that sometimes it happens. It is necessary to make an algorithm of actions to get out of the situation in such cases and to save life and property.

Since situations are different, as well as measures to address them will be different. If everything is done correctly, the reward will be the preservation of health, and most importantly – life. Now it is necessary to analyze situations in detail.

The first will be the most severe, unpleasant and dangerous case – the brakes failed while driving.

When a Hollywood movie is shown, there is bewilderment as to how the heroes cope with such trouble. The bewilderment comes from the fact that the task of stopping a car with broken brakes seems insurmountable.

But, as practice shows, there can be a successful completion of this process. And there is no need to fly through the whole populated area with bulging eyes at speed. After all, every car has buttons, knobs, levers and other devices that will help to successfully stop the car.

The post How to brake if a car’s brakes fail appeared first on PR-Car Ice.