Good morning,

I just passed my driving test a few days ago and my grandad gave me his old car. He doesn't have the car handbook nor a haynes and i cant afford to buy replacements at the moment (my insurance is costing me £150 a month). I am completely new (and some may say ignorant) to car maintainance and my Grandad used to get his neighbour to look after everything undert the bonnet. Problem is the neighbours moved and im stuck.

Does anyone know the type of engine oil i need for my Felicia N reg (1996)? I dont understand all the numbers but my neighbour said it would probably be something like 20/50??? God knows what that means. I checked the dipstick and it was near the minimum mark and i dont want my engine to seize so im going tomorrow (hopefully) to buy engine oil but im not sure where to put it, how much, or what type so hopefully one of you guys can help.

Im pretty sure you put it in the big red buttony looking thingy like left and down a bit from the dipstick but can someone confirm? And my neighbour said about half a litre to start with?

So..to sum up the three main questions:

1) What engine oil do i need?

2) Where do i put the oil?

3) How much oil do i put in?

Hi.

1) Haynes says: Petrol engine; Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 10W/40, 15W/40, or 15W/50.

I personally use Comma Eurolite semi-synthetic 10W/40 at the moment.

2) You have to put oil in the engine after you have drained out the old oil. There's an oil cap clearly visible on the engine.

3) 1,3l. petrol engine 4.5 litres and 1.6 3,5 l. according to haynes.

Generally I would recommend to buy Haynes manual or at least ask somebody's assistance when changing the oil.

Good luck!

use 10-40 semi synthethic

Not sure about a red thingy, I think oil caps are usually black - mine is - but maybe it can vary on different models. There should be a oil can symbol on it:

The difference between minimum and maximum on the oil stick is about a litre. No use in overfilling, so half a litre to begin with, then check and add if necessary.

It could be a good idea to change oil completely, including oil filter.

It's an easy job, but if you're completely new to it and lack the tools needed to remove draining plug and filter it might be better to take it to a reliable & cheap garage.

It's a great car, not-too-expensive in insurance, parts and so on. And you're always welcome to put your questions here - you'll find a lot of people are willing to share their knowledge

Mine is a black cap with no symbol.

Click on attached thumbnail: Location for topping up oil

10w/40 semi synth seems to be the best

I did use Magnatec 15w/40 in 2006 but switched to AC Delco 10w/40.

Sump will be 3.5l. or it is on the 1.6

Agreed with 10W/40. If you want an explanation of that this means, search for posts by "oilman". He works for Opie Oils, and really knows about them.

Thank you very much guys. i love this forum everyone is so nice and dont laugh about the fact you have a skoda. We'll see who is laughing in winter when my car works like a dream... I will go buy a 10w/40 oil. And i think i might be able to ask my stepdads mate to help me drain the oil- he fixes up cars and im sure he'd show me how. Bobob: I think it is the same bit as my red buttony looking thingy just a different cap. I'll make sure it has the symbol on it first. Thank you so much guys.

Make sure you know some people in car shops

I go to one near my mechanics garage and I get some money knocked off some purchases.

My engine seems to leak so I go for the thicker 15w-40 in the hope this helps prevent it.

See Car maintenance bibles: Everything you need to know about engine and motor oil for some bed time reading

Also there are general rules - on the 1.3 it's bottom mark of dipstick to the top mark is one litre, so if you're on the bottom mark you can safely stick a litre in.

<<<<<------------------- Mine has a red thingy . It is the oil filler cap.

It goes in the one numbered 710.

haha, a blonde moment

:rofl:

It goes in the one numbered 710.

:D:D This blonde joke is international!!!

lmao thats not nice mluton i was actually gonna go out and see if i can find the 710 label lmao. Good one though. I cant help if im a young ignorant woman car owner lol :( Anyways i have another question. Do you have to completely change the oil or would it be okay to just top up with the new oil until i can save up some cash to get it serviced properly?

I cant help if im a young woman car owner?

omg:eek: why on earth didn't you say you were em...... female

are you cute?? :wrthless: etc

Do you have to completely change the oil or would it be okay to just top up with the new oil until i can save up some cash to get it serviced properly?

it is better to completely change all the oil, after all oil (or 710:P) is n't that expensive, get a new filter and change that at the same time.. it's worth getting a haynes manual if you are unsure of the procedures too

Just top it up for now if you want to drive around, it will be ok. Although an oil change is advised every 5,000 miles or 12 months I think.

To change oil it's easiest to get a pair of ramps (cost about £30) so you can just drive up and have relatively easy access underneath.

I agree with mr Newman - it should be OK to just top it up right now, another couple of weeks are neither here nor there. And even if oil and filter change is a nice and easy job it can always be nervous to do something for the first time (I have heard of people who drained the gearbox instead of the motor oil sump by mistake). But as soon as your stepfathers mate can give you a hand and some advice, you should go for the complete change, filter included. It's always pleasant to know one has fixed something on one's own. Plus that you'll save a tenner or two

Huddersfield!!!

Do you go to Hudersfield Uni?

Will prob see you one evening at the Malthouse meet hopefully

Do you go to Hudersfield Uni?

Bin there, dun that, Patrick Stewart had a prior engagement in London and wasn't at my graduation ceremony to shake my hand :thumbdwn:

Huddersfield!!!

Do you go to Hudersfield Uni?

Will prob see you one evening at the Malthouse meet hopefully

I live in hudds gonna be going to Bradford Uni in Summer but will still be living at home. (10 mins from hudd uni).

My sister goes Hudds uni shes hoping Captain Picard will be there when she graduates