Keeping a car running can require a lot of effort and attention. You might get up in the morning and drive off without giving it a second thought, but eventually you’ll need to give your vehicle some TLC. One of the most important things to keep an eye on is the car’s oil level; if this gets too low, the vehicle could suffer some serious damage. But, not all oil is made equally, so you need to ensure you’re buying the right bottle for your make and model. Own a Mini? Here’s what type of oil you need, with tips on how to top it up.
If oil top-ups slipped your mind and your car, Mini or otherwise, has suffered the consequences, turn to Scrap Car Comparison to get it sold in no time. Our expert sales team will utilise our nationwide network of scrap and salvage specialists to get you the very best price for your old, unwanted or even broken car. Better still, because we’ve got buyers all across the UK, we can even offer the free collection of your vehicle as standard! Give us a call on 0333 344 9950 or use our scrap car price calculator to get a quote for your Mini now!
Do Minis Need Specific Engine Oil?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to buying oil for any car, so Minis do indeed need a specific type. Finding out which kind of oil they require may, once upon a time, have been difficult, but these days certain retailers provide a matching service.
In fact, even with Mini’s model range, there are a number of different oils that you can use, depending on the kind of car you drive and how you drive it. For example, Mini’s most popular model, the Hatch, can take fully synthetic 5W30 or 0W30 oil.
How Do You Know Which Oil To Use For Your Mini?
As we mentioned above, retailers that specialise in car parts and products are likely to have their own system that can match your vehicle to the oil it needs using its registration (which, actually, is only used to learn the make, model and other specs).
Old-school drivers might prefer to consult their owner’s manual to find out which type of oil their Mini needs. This could be especially useful if you own a classic model, as modern computer systems might not contain information about cars over a certain age.
What Happens If You Put The Wrong Oil In A Mini?
Using the wrong oil in your Mini can have catastrophic effects, although it’s not always likely that you’ll see them immediately.
The wrong oil could cause damage to your car’s engine, leading it to overheat or not lubricate properly, resulting in metal rubbing and wearing in ways that it’s not supposed to.
The oil itself could also become a problem, clogging your car’s system up with a sludgy, thick mess that will bring the whole process to a halt.
Can I Replace My Engine Oil Myself?
You absolutely can replace your engine oil without taking the car to a specialist. In fact, the process is fairly straightforward and may not even require any special tools. Let’s explain how to do so…
How To Replace Your Car’s Oil
Most drivers will go through their lives without changing the oil in their car, but will instead simply top-up the level, ensuring it never runs empty.
But, if your oil has become contaminated or has been sitting in the car for too long and you want to freshen things up, it’s possible to totally empty your car of oil and fill it with brand new lubricant. This only adds a handful of extra steps onto the simple top-up method, so we’ve covered it in this post. It’s possible that you might need to jack your car up off the ground, especially if it’s quite a low-riding vehicle, so bear that in mind before opting to tackle this task yourself.
- Jack It Up – As above, it’s not always going to be necessary to do so, but you need to be able to easily access the underside of the car.
- Access Oil Pan – If your car has the oil pan hidden away behind a protective screen, remove this.
- Unplug & Drain – Remove the plug in your car’s oil reservoir once you’ve positioned a receptacle underneath the opening to catch the draining oil. Watch out for a filter that may need removing, too.
- Plug It – Put the filter and plug back into place and replace the protective screen.
With the old oil drained, you can return to the front end of the car.
- Pop The Bonnet – If you need to know where the lever is on your car, consult the owner’s manual. They’re usually around the passenger footwell, under the glovebox or even hidden near the door.
- Locate & Remove Oil Cap – Your oil cap should look like a large, usually black, plastic lid that can be twisted. It will have an icon of an oil can on it.
- Fill It Up – Now that you’ve opened the cap, pour in the oil using a funnel, ensuring that you don’t underfill or overfill.
- Check The Level – Use the dipstick to check the oil level.
Once the level is suitable, the cap is tightly replaced and the car has been lowered, you’re good to go again!
How Often Do I Need To Top Up My Mini’s Oil?
It’s a good idea to regularly check your oil levels, with once a month being suitable for those who are eager to keep their car in tip-top condition. Generally speaking though, once or twice a year should do the trick.
Of course, this is dependent on how much you use the car. 20,000 miles is a good marker to remind yourself to check the oil.
If a lack of oil is the least of your car’s worries and it feels like it might struggle to get to the end of your driveway without going up in flames, don’t risk it dying on you during a road trip or important commute. Sell it now with Scrap Car Comparison and we’ll find you the best price possible for it, offered by local scrap and salvage specialists who are experts at recycling and reusing cars and their parts. So, give our sales team a call on 0333 344 9950 or use our scrap car price calculator to find out what your old Mini (or any other make) is worth today!
