Credit: Daniel Andraski (Pexels)
Maintaining the right oil level is one of the simplest yet most essential tasks to keep your car running smoothly. Despite all the advancements in car technology, petrol and diesel engines still rely on sufficient engine oil to function efficiently. Checking your car’s oil regularly can prevent costly repairs and ensure your vehicle remains in good condition for years to come. Follow these straightforward steps to check your car's oil properly.
Why Check Your Oil?
Engines naturally consume a small amount of oil over time, especially older vehicles with higher mileage. If left unchecked, low oil levels can cause significant damage, potentially leading to catastrophic engine failure. Checking your oil weekly for a month will give you an idea of how quickly it's consumed. After that, you can monitor it monthly unless your car indicates otherwise.
Some modern cars are equipped with digital systems to monitor oil levels. These systems can notify you when oil needs to be added or changed. If your car doesn’t have this feature, you’ll need to check it manually using the dipstick under the bonnet. Here’s how.
Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare to Check
Before starting, ensure your vehicle is on level ground. This helps you get an accurate reading. Put the transmission in “park” (or in first gear if it’s a manual) and engage the parking brake. Turn off the engine and, if possible, wait until the engine is warm.
Next, open the bonnet. You’ll typically find the release lever inside the cabin near the driver’s seat. Once the bonnet is unlatched, locate the safety catch under the bonnet’s edge to fully lift it. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult your car’s owner’s manual.
Step 2: Locate the Dipstick
The dipstick is your key tool for checking oil levels. It’s a metal rod with a handle, often marked with a brightly coloured grip or an oil-can symbol. It’s housed in a small tube that connects to the crankcase, where the engine oil is stored.
Step 3: Remove and Clean the Dipstick
Pull the dipstick out completely and use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe off any oil. Once cleaned, you’ll notice markings on the dipstick—usually two lines. The lower line indicates the oil is one quart low, while the upper line represents a full oil level. Some dipsticks may label these lines as "add" and "safe."
Step 4: Check the Oil Level
Reinsert the clean dipstick back into its tube, pushing it in fully. Then, slowly pull it out again. Examine the tip of the dipstick to see where the oil level reaches. If the oil level is at or below the lower mark, it’s time to add oil. If there’s no oil visible on the dipstick, the level is dangerously low, and you should add oil immediately.
Step 5: Add Oil and Re-check
If you’ve added oil, give it a few minutes to settle into the crankcase before checking the level again. The oil doesn’t need to be exactly at the upper mark—it just needs to fall within the range between the lower and upper marks. Once your oil level is in the safe zone, you’re good to go.
Regularly checking your oil level is a simple way to prevent costly engine repairs and keep your car running smoothly. With just a few minutes of effort, you can ensure your engine has the lubrication it needs to perform at its best. If in doubt, always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific guidance.
Wanting to do an oil change but are not sure how to? Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to change your car’s oil.
