The first place to start is to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for recommendations. Some newer vehicles have electronic oil monitors and do not have a traditional dipstick. If your vehicle is not equipped with electronic oil monitoring, manually checking the oil level is easier than you may think. Just follow these steps:
After your engine is warm, park on level ground, and turn off the engine.
Wait a few minutes to let the oil settle.
Open the engine hood and locate the oil dipstick. It will usually have a yellow or orange pull ring.
Pull the dipstick out from the engine and wipe the oil off the end of it with a lint-free cloth.
Reinsert the dipstick back into its tube, making sure to push it all the way back in.
Pull the dipstick back out and look at the oil at the tip, comparing it to the markings that indicate the engine oil level.
Every dipstick has some indication of the proper oil level, such as the letters “L” and “H” (low and high), the words “MIN” and “MAX”, two pinholes, or an area of cross-hatching. If you see that the oil on the dipstick is below the minimum line, you need to add oil. Only add a small amount at a time. Overfilling the engine with too much oil can cause problems as well.
If your oil appears to have bits of debris in it or comes out in globs, it’s time to schedule an appointment for a complete oil change service, including a new oil filter.
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