Every car owner’s biggest dream is to keep their car running smoothly, but have you ever wondered what keeps your vehicle running effortlessly?
One of the most essential aspects of your vehicle maintenance is checking your car’s oil. However, if you’re a novice car owner, you may ask, “How do you check oil in a car?” If that’s so, you’re at the right place.
Professional mechanics recommend checking oil levels in your vehicle for better performance and preventing wear and tear. Low oil levels may lead to engine damage, reduced fuel efficiency, and costly repairs.
But How To Check The Oil Level in a Car?
Well, the answer is pretty straightforward.
In this article, we’ll discuss the steps to check oil level and some common mistakes to avoid.
Stay with us!
Why Checking the Oil Level in a Car is Important?
Regularly monitoring the oil levels in your car is important for improved engine health. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine and prevents friction between the moving parts. This helps in preventing potential wear and tear.
Recommended levels of oil also ensure efficient engine operation that prevents overheating and excessive engine strain.
Ignoring the oil levels can cause more harm than good. Low oil levels may ultimately result in engine damage, such as seized bearings and scored pistons. Also, it can affect fuel efficiency and the overall performance of your vehicle.
Therefore, checking your oil levels regularly may help prevent engine damage, wear and tear, and costly repairs.
What You’ll Need for Checking Oil
Some basic tools and materials you’ll need to check the oil level are:
- Dipstick
- Paper towel
- Owner’s manual
- Oil
Steps For How to Check Your Car’s Engine Oil
Checking your engine’s oil level is essential to improve car performance and fuel efficiency. Here are the simple steps you can follow to check engine oil.
Park On Level Ground
Make sure your car is parked on a surface level. This is essentially important for accurate oil level readings because uneven surfaces allow the oil to pool in one area, giving inaccurate results.
Find And Remove The Dipstick
The dipstick comes with your vehicle. You can find it near the engine block. Carefully locate the dipstick and remove it.
Wipe And Reinsert The Dipstick
Clean the dipstick with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove any dirt particles for proper reading.
Once cleaned, insert the dipstick all the way into the oil fill tube.
Take Your Reading
Remove the dipstick and notice the oil mark on the dipstick. If the oil level is between the “full” and “add” marks, you’re good to go!
However, if the oil levels are below the “add” mark, you need more oil.
Wait and Re-check
In case of low oil levels, add oil and wait for a few seconds for the oil to settle in. Re-check the readings after a few minutes for more accurate readings.
How to Add Oil to Your Car if Necessary
So, you’ve finally learned how to check your oil level. But what if you need more oil in case of low oil levels?
In this section, we’ll share how to add oil to your car, if necessary.
- First of all, locate the oil fill cap and unscrew it.
- Slowly pour the oil into the fill hole. We recommend referring to your owner’s manual for the required type and viscosity of oil.
- Wait for a few minutes after adding oil, and recheck the level with the help of a dipstick.
- Make sure the oil level is between “full” and “add” marks.
- Once done, securely tighten the oil fill cap back.
Remember to avoid overfilling your tank as it may cause engine damage due to oil leaks. If you’re concerned about potential leaks, check out this helpful guide on how to find an oil leak to ensure your vehicle stays in top condition.
When to Check Your Oil
Now you know that checking oil levels regularly can help prevent engine damage and improve overall vehicle performance. However, have you wondered, when to check your oil? Or what is the best time to check your car engine oil?
The best time to check oil levels is every few weeks or as recommended in your owner’s manual. However, we also recommend checking your oil before going on long trips, especially during harsh weather conditions.
Additionally, it’s recommended to check your oil levels after the oil change to ensure the level is accurate.
Warm Engine Vs. Cold Engine
It’s an ongoing debate on whether to check your engine oil when the engine is cold or warm, and the answer is subjective.
While many experts recommend checking your oil levels when the engine is cold, some prefer checking the levels when the engine is warm. This is because a warm engine helps to detect any possible leaks easily. However, a cold engine gives a more accurate reading.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now that we’ve discussed all the important steps to check your engine oil. It’s time to highlight the common mistakes to avoid while checking your car oil levels.
- Many car owners forget to check their oil levels regularly. This affects the overall performance of your car and also reduces fuel efficiency.
- Using a dirty dipstick to check oil levels is one common mistake in getting inaccurate readings.
- Some car owners overfill their tanks in hopes of getting better performance. However, overfilling the tank damages your engine severely.
- Using the wrong type of oil and viscosity also damages your engine. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended oil type and viscosity.
What to Do If Your Car Has No Dipstick
How to check oil in the car if your car doesn’t come with a dipstick? The answer is simple.
Many new models of vehicles now come with electronic oil monitoring systems instead of dipsticks. These systems use sensors that track the oil levels and display the information on your car’s dashboard.
Here’s how to check oil levels via the oil monitoring systems:
- Find the oil level indicator with a small icon or symbol on your dashboard
- Check the display for oi-level information. It can be numerical or graphical.
- For low oil levels, look for warnings or messages that may appear on the dashboard.
How Often Should You Check and Change Your Oil?
The regular intervals to check your oil levels are every few weeks or especially before long trips. However, it’s best to consult your owner’s manual for guidelines and recommendations.
Professional mechanics recommend changing your oil based on many factors, including driving habits, vehicle usage, and oil type and viscosity.
However, the average timeline for oil changes is every 3,000 to 7,500 miles. All in all, it’s recommended to check your user’s manual for oil changes based on your vehicle specifications.
Get Quality Car Care at Integrity 1st
Though we understand that DIY projects can be a rewarding experience, it’s wise to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. Most professional mechanics are experts with the right tools and knowledge to ensure an efficient oil change.
Therefore, if you’re a novice car owner with little to no mechanical abilities, consider leaving the task to the experts.
When going for a specific service provider, check out their website, testimonials, case studies, and reviews of customer satisfaction.
At Integrity 1st, we offer comprehensive oil change services by expert technicians. We strive to maintain quality and customer satisfaction through our quality work and materials used in the projects.
Contact Integrity 1st Automotive today!
Now You Know How to Check the Oil Level in a Car
Are you worried about the current oil levels in your car? Fret no more!
We’ve finally discussed all the important yet simple steps to check the oil at home via dipstick and electronic oil monitoring systems based on the make and model of your vehicle.
Additionally, we also highlighted how to add oil to your car if necessary and a few common mistakes to avoid while checking the oil levels.
Furthermore, no matter what, never ignore the warning signs and low levels of oil in your car because it may lead to engine damage and other costly repairs.
FAQs
What Oil Should I Use For My Car?
To know the best oil type for your car, consult the owner’s manual and recommendations.
Can You Check The Oil When The Car Is Hot?
It’s not recommended to check the oil levels when the engine is hot because it may lead to incorrect readings.
What Happens If You Run Out Of Oil?
If you run out of oil and keep driving, your engine may fail or experience engine seizure with costly repairs.
Can I Mix New Oil With Old Oil?
Generally, it’s safe to mix new oil with old oil. However, if the viscosities of both oils are significantly different, it’s not a good idea to mix new oil with old oil.
How High Should Oil Be On A Dipstick?
The recommended oil levels on your dipstick should be between “full” and “add” marks.
