Checking the engine oil level
Checking the oil level in a diesel engine:J - dipstick; N - oil filler plug
Checking the oil level in a gasoline engine: F - oil filter; J - dipstick; N - oil filler plug
Check the engine oil level every 1,000 km or before every long trip. Checking the oil level is carried out after the car is installed on a flat horizontal platform with a cold engine or a few minutes after turning off the engine. If the test is carried out immediately after turning off the engine, some of the oil will remain in the upper components of the engine and will not have time to drain into the sump, as a result of which the measurement result will not be correct. If it is necessary to add more than 1 liter of oil after a run of 1,000 km. Consult your Renault dealer. The engine oil level should never fall below the mark «mini» on the dipstick.
Check the engine oil level as follows:
- Remove the dipstick from the guide tube and wipe it with a clean rag or tissue
- Insert the clean dipstick all the way into the guide tube and remove it again. Check the oil level, which should be between the marks located on the dipstick.
- If necessary, add oil to the engine. Do not operate the vehicle with the engine oil level below the bottom mark on the dipstick. In this case, due to a lack of lubrication, increased wear of engine parts occurs and it may even jam.
Note. Be especially careful when working in the engine compartment. since the radiator fan can turn on at any moment.
Changing the engine oil
Plug location (1) draining the engine oil and oil filter (2) on a diesel engine
Plug location (1) draining engine oil on a gasoline engine
Periodically changing the oil and oil filter is the most important preventative maintenance procedure. As engine oil ages, it becomes thin and contaminated, leading to premature engine wear
The engine oil must be changed after every 15,000 km of a vehicle with a diesel engine and after every 10,000 km of a vehicle with a gasoline engine or every 12 months. Change the oil on a hot engine so that the oil drains better along with the bulk of the contaminants. When operating the vehicle in extreme conditions or in dusty areas, change the oil more often.
- Remove the oil filler cap. located on the cylinder head cover.
- Loosen the drain plug about half a turn. Place an oil drain container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug completely. If necessary, press down on the plug as you unscrew it to prevent oil from leaking out prematurely.
- Once the oil has completely drained, use a rag to wipe away any dirt around the drain hole.
- Screw the plug into place with a new seal.
- Fill the engine with oil using the appropriate grade of oil. Pour in half the required amount of oil and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan, then continue adding oil in small portions. until its level reaches the required level on the dipstick.
Oil filter
Replace the oil filter every time you change the engine oil.
- After draining the engine oil, use a special wrench to loosen the oil filter, then unscrew it by hand. After separating the filter from the cylinder block, immediately turn it with the threaded flange up to prevent oil from draining from the filter
- Using a clean rag, wipe the cylinder block to remove any oil that spilled when removing the filter, as otherwise. When the engine is running, the oil will burn out and smoke. Also, residual oil will prevent the new oil filter from being installed and tightened correctly.
- Also make sure that there are no glued fragments of the filter gasket left on the mating surface of the cylinder block. Otherwise, remove them with a scraper.
- Apply fresh engine oil to the new oil filter O-ring and screw in the oil filter according to the oil filter instructions.
- Fill the engine with oil of the appropriate brand. After a few minutes, check the engine oil level and... if it is near the mark «Maxi», close the oil filler cap.
- Run the engine for one minute to allow the engine oil to circulate through the engine.
- Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan.
- Check the oil level and add if necessary. Check for oil leaks from under the plug and oil filter; otherwise, tighten them.