Motorists have been warned that a simple DIY maintenance job could “destroy” their engines and cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Expert mechanic Scotty Kilmer urged motorists to be careful, as one wrong move could mean they need an entirely new motor.
Scotty revealed in a video on his YouTube channel that refilling the oil can result in a hefty garage bill.
He explained: “I've seen people put 4 quarts of oil into an engine that needed 4 quarts.
“But they forgot to drain something else, so there was only 8 quarts.
“It destroys the engine.
“Too much oil can clog the piston and bend the piston rod, requiring a complete engine overhaul.”
The cost of replacing an engine varies depending on the make and model of your car, but even a cheap one can easily add up to thousands of pounds.
However, Scotti added that even slightly exceeding the engine's limits can damage the engine's seals.
This won't require a replacement, but it will require removing the engine to repair, adding hundreds of dollars to your bill.
Thankfully, there's an easy way to track your oil levels.
Many modern cars are equipped with an oil gauge on the dashboard, but this has an upper limit.
Always fill the oil just below the maximum value to account for oil pressure fluctuations.
Similarly, you can use a level gauge on older models as well to check that the oil is filling between the minimum and maximum lines on the rod.
Remember to always check the oil on a flat surface after letting it sit for at least 5 minutes to drain to normal levels.
Also, change your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or as recommended in your owner's manual.
You can do this yourself at home anytime. Just measure the amount of oil coming out and replace the same amount.
Or, if you're not sure what to do, it's best to have your local garage do the work for a small fee.
It comes after a driver feared for his life by doing a DIY oil change after his car “exploded” on the motorway.