How to check engine oil

Teach: How to check engine oil

What to say

To check engine oil, park on level ground, switch off and wait a few minutes, then pull the dipstick, wipe it, push it fully back in and pull it out again. The oil should sit between the two marks near the tip. If it is at or below the lower mark, add a little of the oil type your manual names and check again.

What to show, in order

1. Park on level ground, switch the engine off and wait five to ten minutes so the oil drains back down.
2. Open the hood and find the dipstick, usually a loop handle in yellow or orange; the manual shows where.
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean with a paper towel or rag.
4. Push it all the way back in, wait a second, and pull it out again.
5. Read where the oil film ends: between the low and full marks is fine.
6. If it is low, open the oil filler cap on top of the engine and add the grade named in the manual, a small amount at a time.
7. Wait a minute, recheck the dipstick, stop at the full mark, and refit the filler cap firmly.
8. Note the date and mileage so you can tell whether the car is using oil faster than it should.

When to stop and call a professional

• The oil looks milky or foamy, which can mean coolant is getting in.
• The level drops noticeably between checks or you see oil spots under the car.
• Your car has no dipstick and the dashboard shows a low oil message.
• The oil pressure light comes on at any time.

The check question

Ask: Why do you wipe the dipstick and dip it again? Answer: Because oil splashes the stick while the engine runs, so the first reading is not true

From EveryManKnows. General information, not professional advice.