+++
categories = ["vehicle"]
date = 2025-03-01T08:36:00-06:00
description = ""
draft = false
slug = "2025-03-car-maintenance"
title = "🚗 Oil Change & Engine Coolant"
author = "nicholas"
+++

Once again, I must change the oil and oil filter in my now *wife's / our* vehicle. I repeat the process documented in my previous post.

## Hazard of Too *Much* Oil
I did not do as well as I did the first time. I poured in too much oil, an amount that just submerged the entire dipstick indicator. This *could* be very bad because if the oil is reachable by the crankshaft, it would whip the oil into foam. Aerated oil does not lubricate well. Through various forums I was reassured that the level of excess oil added probably, almost certainly, would not result in any kind of engine damage or be sufficient to reach the crankshaft, but I made sure to get the level between the hatches anyway by draining some oil from the drain plug beneath the car.

{{< image 
    src="images/oil-dipstick.jpg" 
    alt="Car engine oil dipstick indicator shows oil level is within acceptable levels"
    caption="Perfect dipstick" >}}
    
It was much easier this time, as can be expected. Done.