Your car can stay in good condition and operate efficiently with a quick DIY task. Consider the engine’s motor oil as its lifeblood. To keep your engine in good working order and get the most miles out of it, check it frequently. The oil lubricates the moving components inside the engine to prevent premature wear.
Minimizing dirt buildup also keeps the motor clean and prevents overheating. We advise you to check the oil level at each subsequent gas fill-up because it is a quick task. So, how do you check oil in your car?
Contents
Get Ready to Check
Make sure your car is level with the ground, the engine is off, the transmission is in Park (or a lower gear if it’s a manual transmission), and the parking brake is engaged. Raise the hood. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions if you’re unsure how to proceed. Most cars have a hood release lever under the left instrument panel. Additionally, before you can raise the hood, you must unlock a safety catch under the front edge of the hood.
Find the Dipstick
Most vehicles have a little colored handle with an oil-can sign on it; this makes it simple to identify the dipstick. Typically, this handle is yellow or orange.
Take out the dipstick
Remove the dipstick completely from the tube it is contained in. It is like pulling a sword from its sheath. To remove any oil from the dipstick’s tip, prepare a rag or paper towel. The lower of the two lines at the dipstick tip indicates that there is one quart less oil than normal. The top line indicates that the crankcase, or the engine’s oil tank, is full. Moreover, there are dipsticks with markings like “full” and “add.”
Observe The Oil Level
Insert the dipstick carefully into the tube, pushing it all the way down. When you take it out again, look closely at the tip; there should be oil. Your car has enough oil if the level is between the two lines. If the level is at or below the low mark, add a quart.
Wait and double-check
After adding a quart of oil, allow it to drain into the crankcase for a few minutes before checking the level again to ensure it is at least halfway between high and low. Your engine may function safely with a lower oil level while still providing adequate lubrication.
Related!
- Check Engine Light After Oil Change: Causes and How to Fix
- Lists of Best High Mileage Motor Oil for Engines
- Oil In Intake Manifold: Causes and Solution
- What Is the White Milky Substance Under Your Oil Cap?
