How to Check the Engine Oil Level of Your Vehicle Using the Dipstick

Checking the engine oil level of your vehicle on a regular basis is vital to maintaining a working vehicle. You can use the dipstick to check the engine oil level. Easy to find, the dipstick is located beneath the hood of the vehicle. Follow these steps to check the level of the engine oil in your vehicle using the dipstick.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towel or rag

Instructions

1. Park your vehicle on level ground and turn it off. Allow the engine to cool if you have the time. Cool oil is easier to read on the dipstick.

2. Find the dipstick under the hood of your car. It should be near the center close to the engine. There will be a loop on the end or some other way for you to grasp the dipstick. The dipstick for the oil is often yellow or another bright color and it might say engine oil on it. If you cannot find it, refer to the vehicle's owner's manual.

3. Pull the dipstick out after you have determined which is the correct one. Have a rag or paper towel handy. Wipe the dipstick clean, reinsert it completely and pull it out again.

4. Look for 2 marks, one with the word "full" and another line an inch or so beneath it. There is usually a crosshatch pattern between the 2 marks. The engine oil level will likely be somewhere in that cross hatch area.

5. Recheck the engine oil level after adding more oil if you need to, taking care not to bring the engine oil level above the full line.