How to Check Car Oil

Motor oil plays a vital role in the health, performance, and longevity of your vehicle. It lubricates internal engine parts to minimize friction and heat, prevent problems, and keep your vehicle running smoothly on Ames and Indianola roads. Aim to check your oil level at least once a month so you know when it may need to be topped off or replaced. Learn how to check car oil in this step-by-step guide from DeYarman Automotive Group.

How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Determining exactly how to check car oil depends on whether you have a traditional dipstick or an electronic oil monitor. Some newer vehicles use the latter option, so consult your owner’s manual for specific directions on how to check the oil monitor and read the results. Most vehicles, however, rely on a dipstick, which you use to check the oil manually. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do. Here are the basic steps:

1. Park your car on even ground, turn the engine off, and let the vehicle sit for 20 to 30 minutes. A cold engine will ensure you get an accurate reading.
2. Pop the hood and locate the dipstick.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe away the oil on its end with a paper towel or rag.
4. Insert the dipstick back into its holder all the way and pull it out again.
5. Look at both sides of the dipstick to check the oil level. Dipsticks are easy to read and have clearly defined markings indicating where your oil level is at. If the level falls between two markings or inside an area with cross-hatched etchings, the level is sufficient. If the oil is outside any of these areas, it needs to be topped off.

If you do need to top off the oil, follow the recommendations in the owner’s manual as to what type of oil you should buy. Then add a bit at a time and keep checking the level with the dipstick until the reservoir is full.

How to Reset Your Oil Change Light

Many modern vehicles will alert you to low oil levels by illuminating a light on the dashboard. Now that you know how to check car oil, you need to know how to reset this light. After you’ve changed or topped off the oil, you can reset the light by doing the following:

1. Turn the car on and leave the engine running, but turn off all other vehicle systems.
2. Locate the reset button or lever on the dash, which is usually found by the fuel gauge or speedometer.
3. Push the button and hold it until the light starts to flash.
4. Shut off the ignition and wait several seconds before restarting the vehicle. The oil change light should now be off.

Different vehicle makes and models can have slight variations in this procedure, which means it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions. If you’re a %%target_city_3%-area driver having trouble resetting the light, don’t hesitate to reach out to our service department in Knoxville for assistance.

Trust DeYarman Automotive Group for All Your Service Needs

Our service team is here to walk you through how to check car oil and help you stay on top of routine oil changes and other vehicle maintenance. Schedule your service visit online, and be sure to check out our other service tips and tricks.