r/CasualIreland 4h ago

How often do you actually check the oil and coolant in your car?

2 Upvotes

30 comments sorted by

20

u/Fuzzy_Trash5809 4h ago

Whenever the light comes on to tell me it needs checking obviously

15

u/outspan_foster 4h ago

Honestly never, I have a service every 12 months on the car but that’s about it.

Granted I don’t do a huge about of driving, about 6-8k per year.

4

u/No_Square_739 3h ago

Same. Except only do about 5K. Annual service is plenty.

6

u/mrbuddymcbuddyface 4h ago

I service my own vehicle every 6 months /10k km whichever comes first. I check the oil every 3 months

9

u/cian87 4h ago

When I had a petrol car, I would generally go on a long trip (400km+) every two months or so and I'd check them before that. But if I didn't go on one of those for some reason I probably did let it go longer, it was never something I put reminders in for.

Haven't opened the bonnet on the EV yet in 11 months as somehow I haven't used up the screenwash yet, and there's nothing else to check.

3

u/thespuditron Like I said last time, it won't happen again 4h ago

I check it once a month now. I’ve had a few issues with it lately but I can’t afford to change it yet, so I keep an eye on the things I can do.

3

u/SteveK27982 4h ago

If a light came on or was going on a long trip or sending it for a NCT…so rarely

4

u/Distinct_Engine_2075 4h ago

As an adult that respects the fact that I need my car to get to work; I check it monthly.

2

u/vinceswish 4h ago

I follow manufacturer service schedule and after 160k had never checked myself. On my old beater first car I was checking oil before any 200km+ trip.

2

u/wilililil 4h ago

When I had a car with a dipstick, I would check it every few months. Typically if I topped up the windscreen washer tank.

Also the quality of the oil is as important as the level, if the level looks crap I'd go for a service early.

New car has a digital oil gauge so I can see it from the dash menu. Low coolant begs the question where it went so don't usually check it but would be aware of temperature of the engine.

2

u/Alternative_Award769 4h ago

Never. My dad checks it every so often I think. Im going to have to learn these things before he tips the bucket.

1

u/ziggieire 4h ago edited 4h ago

Every 5k kilometres i change all oil and air filters mine and my wifes cars.
Transition checked every time, but we never run our cars hard so 90k
and the dif oil 40k

1

u/Gwanbulance 4h ago

Every two weeks, because I’ve an old diesel that burns oil and has a coolant leak. I keep a bottle of both in the boot at all times.

1

u/DoubleInvertz 4h ago

I drive an Audi S product, So every week.

Official Vehicle manual states anything up to 1l/1000km of oil consumption is considered normal. Really compliant piston rings for efficiency purposes leads to blow by into the crank case, So the PCV valve is basically a consumable item on them, but it’s the price I pay for having a fun car :)

1

u/box_of_carrots 3h ago

I drive an 09 Toyota Avensis, so pretty much every month or so. The levels are easy to check and replenish when required. I'm still amazed every time I pass the NCT.

My car is pretty bashed up and the last NCT I had, yer man told me that I had "more hits than Elvis" which I thought was hilarious.

1

u/Achara123 3h ago

Every couple of months

1

u/FuckThisShizzle 3h ago

When the sticker falls off the little light on the dash.

1

u/Kitchen_Buyer4552 3h ago

Never. I just get it serviced when it’s due a service 🤷‍♂️

2

u/qwerty_1965 2h ago

Literally never. It's Japanese. I trust it

1

u/Standard0rder 2h ago

Every few weeks

1

u/Squozen_EU 2h ago

It’s an EV, so never. Back when I owned a petrol car that I cared about, probably once every couple of months.

1

u/Garbarrage 2h ago

I do a lot of miles, so weekly or bi-weekly at worst.

1

u/Toro8926 1h ago

Tbh, rarely. Usually have it with my mechanic every 6 months or so, adding some things or keeping it top notch so he will always top up anything if it's needed.

1

u/TheBigMacBoi 1h ago

Everytime I clean it so usually once a month if the roads aren’t filthy

1

u/BackinBlack_Again 1h ago

Never they do it when I get it serviced every year

1

u/PrincessAwesomeface 1h ago

Whenever my dad says, "when was the last time you checked that car for oil" which leads to a small lecture and then us checking it😂

1

u/Hairy-Violinist-3844 4h ago

I give it oil when the light comes on and I'm honestly not sure what coolant is. 

0

u/yankdevil 4h ago

I've had an EV since 2020. I check the windshield wiper fluid? OK, I fill it when when it says I'm low, but close enough.