How to Check Car Oil

Your motor oil keeps your vehicle going on the Daphne roads, so you need to check the level consistently if you want to keep driving to places. Beyond keeping you going, the right amount of oil is needed to protect all of your engine’s internal moving parts. Find out how to check car oil below from the service experts at Southern Chevrolet, Inc.!

How to Check Car Oil Level

If you have a newer model, you might have an electronic oil monitor instead of a traditional dipstick. Be sure to check your owner’s manual to see what the make of your vehicle suggests if you don’t already know. To check the oil level manually, you will need to: 

1. Park your car on level ground and then turn off your engine. Keep it shut off and wait until it is cold. 
2. Once your engine is cold to the touch, pop open your car hood and locate the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and then, wipe any oil from the end.
4. Put dipstick all the way back into its tube. Next, pull it back out and see where the level is from both sides. 

Dipsticks will have a way to show you the proper oil level. If you see that the top of your oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the level is good. If it isn’t, then you’ll need to add more oil.

You should also check your owner’s manual for the recommended grade of oil to buy. When you have it and your oil needs to be filled up, remove the oil filler cap and then slowly and carefully add the oil in small amounts at once until you’ve reached the right level. 

Importance of Oil Level

When you check the oil level at least once a month, you can be sure that you have enough oil to keep going on the Pensacola roads and that there is no leak. However, if you ever notice the hood of your car is hot or there’s steam coming from under the hood, you will need to schedule a service visit immediately as this could be signs of an oil leak as well as an overheated engine. 

Resetting Oil Change Light: The Process

If you’ve changed your oil at home, you’d want to reset your oil change light. Despite there is a specific process for each make and model, this is the general process: 

1. Turn all systems of your car off, but leave the engine running.
2. Track down the “reset” button or stick on the dashboard (usually near the speedometer and fuel gauge).
3. Hold the button down until the oil change light begins to flash (the sign of resetting may differ depending on your car).
4. Turn the ignition off and then wait a few seconds. Turn your car back on and the light should be reset now.

Make sure to not reset the light if you didn’t perform an oil change as this could cause damage. 

Count on the Service Experts at Southern Chevrolet, Inc. 

Now that you know how to check your car oil, feel free to learn more service tips that you should be aware of as a driver in the Mobile area, such as how to check your transmission fluid. If you ever need auto service, come by Foley and count on our professionals at Southern Chevrolet, Inc. while saving with our service specials!