And I'm sure there'll be someone out there who wanted this information without asking for it, so I hope you can use it!.
Also, as I'm a noob myself, if I say anything wrong or a bad idea, please feel free to correct it.
This info is from quite a few pages of stuff, and cut down to the minimum using my own words.
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This was more specifically for Vitara's, but the markers should apply for car's universally. Only thing different is the kind of oil you would use.
Source for all this info is from: http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBrok ... 1dec89.jsp
*Engine Oil*
Driving for a while is alright. Turn engine off and allow 3 minutes for Oil to drain into pan.
Inspect the oil dipstick. Wipe with a cloth and reinsert all the way in. There are 2 marks on the dipstick, the one on the top is full, one on the bottom is low. Fill oil through the Engine Oil Cap, not the dipstick tube. Fill oil in small amounts until near the top mark but between both marks. Do not overfill the engine.
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*Automatic Transmission Oil*
The transmission fluid level must be checked with the engine running at slow idle, the vehicle parked on level ground, and the transmission fluid at least at room temperature
(70°F/21°C).
1. Apply the parking brake and start the engine. Allow it to idle for 2 minutes.
2. Move the transmission gearshift selector through each gear, then move it back to the P (Park) position. ( I guess this uses the most oil, so when you check the level it will give a realistic reading ).
Do NOT read the fluid level if you have driven in city traffic or in hot weather, if the vehicle was pulling a trailer, or if you have just driven the vehicle for a long time at high speed. Allow the transmission fluid approximately 30 minutes to cool down before checking the fluid level, otherwise the level indicated will be misleading.
If the fluid feels cold, drive the vehicle for a minimum of 5 miles (8 km)
If the fluid is room temperature or hotter, wipe the dipstick clean with a cloth and reinsert it in the dipstick tube.
Pull the dipstick out of the tube and, while holding the dipstick horizontal, read the fluid level on the dipstick end. The fluid level should be between the two marks in the cold range on the dipstick if the fluid is not hot (approximately 4°F/20°C for 3-speed models, or 77°F/25°C for 4-speed models). If the fluid is hot (approximately 194°F/90°C for 3-speed models, or 13°F/75°C for 4-speed models), the fluid level should be between the two range marks on the dipstick.
There are 4 marks on the dipstick. The top two are:
Full Hot -
Low Hot -
And the bottom two are:
Full Cold -
Low Cold - This mark is actually the very end point of the dipstick itself.
Add Tranmission oil through the dipstick tube with a funnel. Fill the transmission oil to the full mark depending on hot or cold.
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Type of oil I'm using.
I'm using 5W-50 Engine oil ( the expensive fully synthetic kind so you can drive off straight away in cold mornings around $60 ) - 5W << It's better to have a lower number here, normally it's around 10W but the lower the number, the better the oil for cold starts. 50 Refers to the Viscosity. Slightly newer engines / cars would use 40, I'm using 50 as my car is kind of old.
I'm guessing for your typical sedan car you would use 10W-40, where as for my Vitara I'm using 5W-50. ( Or you can use 5W-40 )
Also, I'm pretty sure it's important to drain your oil first if you are going to put in Fully Synthetic, as old oil can muck around with your synthetic.
For my transmission oil I'm using the Mobil Multipurpose ATF Extra High Performance, was around $9. This was for an Auto transmission, so make sure you get the right kind. I have heard Castrol Syntrans is very good, but I couldn't find any - kind of expensive too
Hope this information helps.
I am still to learn how to drain my oil correctly, but I think it's pretty important.
cheers
*Edit: Oops, forgot to add, switching to a higher grade oil IS worth the effort and investment. Slightly extra performance, overall quietness, and alot quieter during gear changes. Not to mention probably the most important thing which is lowering engine wear and tear.[/img]