How to Check Car Oil

First, check your owner’s manual. Many new models feature an electronic oil monitor, which eliminates the need for a dipstick. If your car doesn’t have one of these monitors, follow these steps to check the oil level manually:

• Park your car on a flat surface and turn off the engine. If the engine is still warm, allow it to cool down.
• Pop the hood and locate the dipstick.
• Remove the dipstick from the engine. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe any motor oil from the dipstick.
• Place the dipstick back in its compartment, then remove it once more. Examine the oil line on both sides.

Dipsticks have markings that tell you whether the oil level is too low, too high, or just right. If the oil level rests between two marks or in a cross-hatched area, the oil level is good. If not, check your owner’s manual. Buy the oil that’s suggested for your vehicle, be it regular oil, synthetic oil, or a synthetic blend, and add a bit at a time until the level is ideal.