How to Check Car Oil: DIY at Home

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to take care of your car’s simpler maintenance tasks at home, learning how to check car oil is a great place to start. Among your car’s many routine maintenance items, checking the oil level and oil quality is one of the easiest to accomplish on your own. The service pros from Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond explain how to check the oil level in a car below; if you require any assistance, our service department is conveniently located in Richmond!

How to Check the Oil in My Car Car: Four Easy Steps 

Before getting started, does your vehicle have an oil life monitoring system? If so, you probably don’t even need to learn how to check car oil! The oil life monitor tracks the oil level using advanced technology, so you’ll never be left to guess when it’s time to change the oil in Henrico. If your ride doesn’t have an oil life monitor, learning how to check the oil level in your car is still very easy:

1. Park the car on level ground so you can get an accurate oil level reading. Before checking the oil, the engine should be shut off and given time to cool down completely.
2. Once the engine is cool, open the hood so you can locate the oil dipstick. 
3. Remove the dipstick from its container. Using an old rag, wipe the dipstick clean of the oil that’s on it. Then, insert it back into the container. 
4. Remove the oil dipstick again, this time leaving the oil on it. Check the oil level against the indicators on the dipstick. The indicators may be either two marks or a cross-hatched area. If the oil level falls within the two marks or the cross-hatched portion, the oil level is good. 

If your oil level is low and you need to add more, make sure the type of oil you have matches the recommendation in your car’s manual. When you add the oil, use a funnel and add only a little bit at a time to be sure you don’t add too much. Check the dipstick to be sure you’ve added the proper amount of new oil. 

What if the Oil is Dirty?

If you check your car’s oil and it’s not only low but has also taken on a dark color or appears to be dirtied with contaminants, your car is in need of a full oil change. You can top off the oil just to be safe in the meantime, but you should schedule an oil change as soon as possible at this point. Without good oil, your car won’t be able to operate at peak performance and the engine could be at risk of overheating in Glen Allen. 

How Often Should You Check the Oil Level? 

Clean engine oil is essential for every vehicle in Goochland. While a full oil change is recommended approximately twice per year, you should check the oil level at least once per month. It’s the most surefire way to be confident that you’re not overlooking more serious problems like an oil leak. Additionally, if you just changed the oil a month or two before checking it and it’s already very dirty, you’ll know there’s probably a more serious engine problem to attend to. 

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond Provides Trusted Oil Service

You can expect fast and affordable oil service when you visit Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond. We make it easier for local drivers to maintain their vehicles with ongoing service specials and trusted service and maintenance tips. With any questions, contact us or call our service advisors directly at (844) 415-1110!