How to Check Car Oil

Your vehicle requires motor oil to perform as the manufacturer intended, and it is crucial to have the right amount for protecting the engine’s internal moving parts. Fortunately, keeping tabs on the oil level is a quick and easy maintenance task you can perform right at home. Learn how to check car oil from the automotive experts at Atlantic Volkswagen.

Learn How to Check Oil Level in a Car

If you have a newer vehicle, it is possible that it has been equipped with an electronic oil monitor. If this is the case, it won’t have a traditional dipstick. If you are not sure about what your vehicle has, you likely can find this information in your owner’s manual. If your vehicle has a traditional dipstick, you will have to check the oil manually. To do this, simply follow the steps below.

1. Park your vehicle on level ground. Turn off the engine and let it cool before checking the oil level.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood to locate the dipstick.
3. Take the dipstick out of the engine and remove the oil at the end.
4. Put the dipstick back into the tube before taking it out once more. Inspect each side of the dipstick to see where the oil level falls. Notice how the dipstick indicates where the proper oil level should be. If it falls below that marking, you will need to add more oil.

Before you add any oil, it is important to see what oil is recommended by the automaker for your particular make and model. Once again, this can be found in your owner’s manual. When you have the recommended oil, remove the oil filler cap and add oil a little at a time until the dipstick indicates you’ve reached the proper level.

Why is it Important to Know How to Check Car Oil?

Oil may not seem like a significant component of your vehicle, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly on the roads of Atlantic City and Wildwood. You will want to change the oil in your vehicle at least twice a year, even if you don’t do a lot of driving around Millville. Depending on your driving habits, you may need to perform an oil change more often. Oil checks should be performed at least once a month, which will help you catch any leaks in the system early on. If you notice your car’s hood is hot to the touch, or you see steam emerging from under the hood, this can be an indication that your car is overheating. You should set up a service appointment right away.

Turn to the Automotive Experts at Atlantic Volkswagen

You know how to check your oil, but if something unusual comes up — or a dashboard warning light comes on — you should reach out to the team at Atlantic Volkswagen ASAP. It is our goal to help you keep your vehicle in pristine condition for as long as possible.