just doing my first lot of monthly 'checks' whereby i do the tyre pressures, top up oil, coolant and windscreen wash if required and have a few questions...

1. i could not find the max or min on the dipstick. there is a flat bit at the end which was covered in black oil so i guess that means that the oil level was ok..?

2. is there a way to see how much windscreen wash you have or do you just pour in water/fluid until you see it rise?

3. the coolant was about 1/3 between min and max so wanted to fill it up. however when i read the book it said you need some special stuff and it cant be mixed wih anything else otherwise dont turn the engine on etc. bloody hell i thought so i didnt put in the pink antifreeze i had leftover. am i being too cautious or is the book right?
the newest car ive ever owned has been a v reg and 10 years old so ive never been too fussed ive just thought 'oh sod it im sure it cant do any harm' but with this car im in new territory and im scared to do anything in case i break it!

still, at least i did the tyre pressures ok....lol

thanks for help

1. i could not find the max or min on the dipstick. there is a flat bit at the end which was covered in black oil so i guess that means that the [COLOR=#F77E1D !important][COLOR=#F77E1D !important]oil [COLOR=#F77E1D !important]level[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] was ok..?
You would traditionally have the car on flat ground, having had it stood without running for a few hours, then take out the dipstick, wipe it, stick it back again. Then, look at the level of oil that's between the 2 marks.

If the oil is black, maybe your self-education can be stretched to changing the oil and oil filter next..........


2. is there a way to see how much windscreen wash you have or do you just [COLOR=#F77E1D !important][COLOR=#F77E1D !important]pour [COLOR=#F77E1D !important]in[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] water/fluid until you see it rise?
As you say - keep pouring til it comes out.



3. the [COLOR=#F77E1D !important][COLOR=#F77E1D !important]coolant[/COLOR][/COLOR] was about 1/3 between min and max so wanted to fill it up.
Various voices will advise here:

A) I'd leave it
B) I might top up with water as we don't live in Siberia but whatever
C) Others mihgt suggest flushing all the water out and refilling with fresh antifreeze.........

That flattened section - the end is the 'min' and the upper part is the 'max' -- there are no marks as such on the diesel dipstick

In a diesel, the oil gets black very quickly -- no need to rush to change unless the mileage says so.

Antifreeze (or better, premixed coolant as that is in the right concentration) -- you can use any premix that says it is OAT based -- generally this is pink (non OAT is generally blue and should't be used) But, if cold when you checked it, then the level sounds fine -- it will rise as the engine (and weather) get hotter. Only need to top up if it drops below 'min' (Maybe make a small mark with a Sharpie-type pen to see if it alters over the coming months). Certainly no need to flush... OAT antifreeze is good for ten years or more

Screenwash - no, only way to tell is when its at the top of the filler neck

If you do not know when the oil was last changed then do so reasonably soon. Oil is cheap compared to turbos etc. As said it soon looks poor though so if you are confident of the last service then simply stick to the schedule.

Oil in a diesel will go black the instant the car fires up and runs.
It's soot and is nothing to worry about.
It can be hard to read the dipstick, but following a few tips may help.

As already written, your car needs to be on the flat.

Leave the oil to settle, no use checking just after you've switched off. Leave it 10 minutes before checking.

Pull the dipstick and wipe it clean with a tissue or rag, then re dip and check the level.

There are marks on the end off the stick, Max and Min or a "hatched" area the oil sticks too.

There is only a litre between Max and Min, so unless it's in the bottom third you are ok.
If you're topping up, this should give you a guide of how much it needs.

DO NOT over fill a diesel with oil, it'll find it's way out into the air intake and could burn and run on the excess oil, you'll not be able to stop it and it'll rev until it goes bang!

When topping up, always use the correct grade and specification,
(unless you are really desperate, but if you use another grade you need an oil change asap), turbos don't like the wrong oil.
Add a little at a time and keep checking the stick until it reads in the top third.

In total yours (diesel Panda) takes 2.8 litres of 5W-40 oil that meets Fiats spec of Fiat 9.55535-M2
Fiat recommend Selinia WR but either of these are readily available and meet/surpass the required specs
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-907-fiat-955535-h2m2n2z2.aspx

Some people don't like this idea, but I cleaned my dipstick off with white spirit and sprayed the end with white paint (oil resistant), makes the job a lot simpler.

Washer fluid, just pour in it until it pour back out the top, if you're in for a lot of frost, mix it to a higher ratio.

The engine coolant will be a type that's suitable for the engine, some anti freezes will attack aluminum, eating it away.
So you need to top up with the correct stuff which will be marked as OATs or Organic Acid Technology (usually orange or red looking) and mixed with distilled water at 50% ratio.
(you can buy it premixed if you wish)

Only open the expansion tank cap when the engine is cold, when the coolant is hot it can be under a bit of pressure and it'll scold you.
Also it expands, so check the level when cold to get a good reading.

thanks for all of the advice so far. i do only check on the flat and to be safe only do it after the car has been stationery for a few hours. the dipstick was black after i cleaned it off and pushed it back in then out again. i always wonder that if you dont take it out 'cleanly' ie not touching the edges then it will appear black whatever you do. but anyway the black crosshatch was completely black so i assume the level is fine. the oil i bought was the castrol edge 5w40.

service was last done about 18 months ago but thats still only about 2000 miles ago its obv not been used much.

the coolant in there is pink, as is the one i have leftover from my previous car but i'll buy a new bottle today i think

Goudrons said:

DO NOT over fill a diesel with oil, it'll find it's way out into the air intake and could burn and run on the excess oil, you'll not be able to stop it and it'll rev until it goes bang!

Click to expand...

Unless god is on your side and you manage to stall it in 5th gear