How To Quickly & Accurately Check Your Vehicle’s Oil at Home

Stay on Top of Your Vehicle’s Oil Levels for Engine Longevity

The oil you put into your vehicle not only maximizes your engine’s performance but also gives it the longevity that you can count on. As such, you should always be aware of your vehicle’s current oil health and levels to ensure that your vehicle is always running at its peak. Learning how to quickly check your vehicle’s oil yourself can save you plenty of time and hassle when you are unsure about the state of your vehicle’s health and performance. The Thelen Auto Group in Bay City, MI, would like to guide you through five simple steps that you can follow to quickly and accurately check your engine oil status. 

How Do I Check My Vehicle’s Oil Level?

Prep to Check – Before you pop the hood of your vehicle, make sure that the engine is warm so that you get the most accurate results possible. If it’s the middle of summer, you should be able to check it without prior movement. Otherwise, take your vehicle for a quick trip around the neighborhood to get the engine warmed up. You should also have a lint-free towel or rag so that you can wipe off the oil on the dipstick. 

Pop The Hood & Locate Oil Dipstick – After you have shut off your vehicle, read the owner’s manual for your vehicle to learn how to pop the hood and find the dipstick. If you are unable to determine either of these from the manual, there are useful resources online from various manufacturers about these very steps. Generally, a vehicle’s dipstick handle will be colored either yellow or orange for quick evaluation. 

Remove the Dipstick & Wipe It Off – Once you have located the dipstick, remove it from the engine and wipe off any oil that is currently on it with the lint-free cloth you brought along. This first pull will not be an accurate representation of the current oil level in your vehicle. 

Reinsert & Remove Dipstick from Holder Again – After wiping off the dipstick the first time, reinsert it back into its holder and let it sit for a couple of seconds. Then, remove the dipstick again and examine it. Most dipsticks will have notches that signify low and high levels of oil in the engine. If you find the oil coats up to anywhere in-between the lines or notches, you are good to go. However, if you notice the oil only reaches the low end or doesn’t even reach it, you need to immediately fill up with fresh oil.

Bring Your Vehicle in for Oil if Needed – Driving on low oil can be potentially disastrous for your engine. If you can get your vehicle in for a service appointment with any of the Thelen Auto Group locations, we will be happy to provide your vehicle with the oil that best fits its make and model. If your vehicle doesn’t have enough oil to safely drive it to a shop, always keep a quart or two of recommended oil nearby so that you can safely fill it until you can bring your vehicle in for an appointment.

(Photo Credit: iStock)

Tags: Bay City, Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Oil, Service, Thelen Auto Group
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