How to Check Car Oil

Engine oil is an essential part of your vehicle. So it’s important to ensure that you check your car’s oil level regularly. You want to be sure that there’s enough in your vehicle to protect all of your vehicle’s internal moving parts, no matter if you’re sticking to Bismarck backroads or Williston highways. So, if you’re looking for definitive information on how to check oil level in a car, then read on or contact us at Ideal Auto!

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Wondering how to check your car oil? It’s really easy in newer vehicles with electronic dipsticks!

All you need to do is take a look at the central information display or the information display within your speedometer. But in some cases, in older vehicles, you’ll have to use a traditional dipstick. In these instances, it’s still pretty easy to check the oil level in your car with these steps:

1. Park your car on level ground and make sure that the engine is turned off. Also, be sure that it’s had a chance to sit for a while so it’s cold.
2. Pop the hood of your vehicle and locate the dipstick underneath.
3. Take the dipstick out and wipe any oil off that’s on the end of it.
4. Put the dipstick back, pull it out again, and see where the level is.

Note: If the top of where your oil falls is between two marks or cross-hatches on the dipstick, then your oil level is good. If not, though, you need to add more oil.

Make sure that you purchase the grade of oil that is recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, remove the oil filler cap, then add oil a little bit at a time until the dipstick shows that you’ve reached the right level.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Checking your vehicle’s oil level is an important way to be sure that it can operate at peak performance for years to come. As such, it’s recommended that you check your car’s oil at least once a month. Oil changes, on the other hand, should be completed every six months, or roughly every 5,000-7,500 miles. Of course, different vehicles require different recommended oil change intervals so you should always check your owner’s manual to double-check what’s best for your vehicle.

How to Reset the Oil Change Light

Most newer cars have an oil change light or maintenance needed light that illuminates when it’s time to get an oil change. Once you’ve had your oil change done or completed it yourself, you should ensure this light gets reset. To reset the oil change light yourself, here’s what to do.

How to Reset the Oil Change Light: Step-by-Step:

• Turn off your vehicle’s internal systems but keep the engine running.
• Locate the “reset” button or stick on the vehicle’s dashboard (it is often located close to the vehicle’s speedometer and the fuel gauge).
• Hold the button down until the oil change light starts to flash (the sign for resetting it may differ per vehicle).
• Turn your vehicle’s ignition off, wait a few seconds, and then turn your vehicle back on.

This should reset your oil light successfully! If it doesn’t, then you’re going to want to bring your vehicle into a local Bismarck or Williston service shop!

Contact Us for More Car Tips!

Ready to learn more about how to check the oil level in your car or any other automotive service-related tasks? Check out our car buying tips online or call 701-833-5995 with general automotive questions. Our #1 aim is to keep all of our customers happy!