How to Check Oil in a Car

Having the correct oil level in your car's engine is vital to the engine's longevity. Checking the oil in your car is a fast and easy preventative maintenance item that could save thousands of dollars in engine repair bills down the road. Ideally, you should check the oil in your car at every gas fill-up, or a minimum of once a week.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Rag or towel

1. Open the hood of your car and locate the handle of the oil dipstick. The oil dipstick is usually a bright yellow plastic ring located at the top of the engine. If you are unsure where the dipstick is, you can reference your car owner's manual to locate the dipstick.
2. Grasp the dipstick with a rag or towel as it will be hot to the touch from your car's engine. Pull the dipstick out and then wipe it clean with another towel or rag.
3. Replace the oil dipstick completely and then pull it out again. You are now ready to read the oil level.
4. Look at the markings on the dipstick that show "Full" and "Add." If the oil on the dipstick is at the "Full" marking, you car does not need any oil. If the oil is at the "Add" level, the engine is 1 qt. low of oil. You will need to add 1 qt. of oil to your car's engine.
5. Check the color of the oil on the dipstick. It should be a very light color. If the oil is dark brown or black, you should get an oil change soon.
6. Replace the dipstick and close the hood. You have now checked your oil!

Tips & Warnings

• The marking on the dipstick might say "Low" instead of "Add."