Checking your engine oil is a simple way to keep an eye on an important part of routine car maintenance. The dipstick can show whether the oil level is within the range set by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
This guide covers cars with a traditional dipstick. Some newer vehicles use an electronic oil-level display instead, and checking instructions can vary. Your owner’s manual is the authority for your car’s procedure, the correct oil and how long to wait before taking a reading.
What You’ll Need
- Your vehicle’s owner’s manual
- A clean paper towel or lint-free cloth
- The correct engine oil, if the level needs topping up
Check the manual before buying or adding oil. It specifies the type and requirements for your engine; oil that looks similar on a shelf is not necessarily the right choice.
Steps: Check the Dipstick
- Park on level ground. A slope can affect the reading. Put the car in park, or in gear for a manual transmission, and set the parking brake.
- Switch off the engine. Follow the owner’s manual for how long to wait before checking. Many vehicles need a short wait so oil can drain back into the engine, but the timing is not universal.
- Find the dipstick. With the engine off, open the hood and look for the oil dipstick handle. Your manual can show its location. Don’t confuse it with another fluid’s dipstick or cap.
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean. Use the cloth or paper towel to remove the oil from the marked end.
- Put the dipstick fully back in. Seat it as directed for your vehicle; otherwise the next reading may not be reliable.
- Pull it out again and read the level. Look at the oil on the marked end. The level should fall within the range shown by the marks—often labeled “MIN” and “MAX,” or indicated by two holes or lines. Check your manual if the marks are unclear.
- Replace the dipstick. If the level is within the specified range, the check is complete. If it is below the lower mark, use the manual’s instructions to add the correct oil.
If the Oil Is Low
Use only oil that meets the specification and viscosity listed in your owner’s manual. The viscosity is the oil grade, often shown with a code such as 5W-30; the required grade differs among engines. Don’t assume the grade used in another car will work in yours.
- Locate the engine-oil filler cap. Confirm its position in the manual and remove it only with the engine off.
- Add a small amount of the specified oil. Use a clean funnel if you have one, and avoid spilling oil on hot engine parts. If you are unsure how much to add, consult the manual rather than guessing.
- Wait, then check the dipstick again. Wipe it, reinsert it fully and take a fresh reading. Repeat cautiously if needed, aiming for the marked range—not above it.
- Secure the cap and dipstick. Make sure both are properly seated before closing the hood.
Do not overfill. If the level is above the maximum mark, or you have added too much, consult the owner’s manual or a repair professional about what to do. If oil is repeatedly low between checks, arrange an inspection; topping it up does not explain why the level is dropping.
Tips and Things to Know
- Some cars have no dipstick. If your vehicle uses an electronic oil-level display, follow its manual instead of looking for a dipstick.
- Oil-level checks are not oil-pressure checks. If an oil-pressure warning appears, follow the warning instructions in your manual. A normal dipstick reading does not establish that oil pressure is normal.
- Keep clear of hot and moving parts. Check with the engine off, and do not reach near belts, fans or other parts that could be hot or move unexpectedly.
- Make the check routine, not a substitute for service. Your manual’s maintenance schedule explains when oil changes and other maintenance are due.
- Clean up spills. Wipe up any oil you spill and keep used oil out of drains and soil. Ask a local recycling or waste facility how to dispose of it properly.
A dipstick check takes only a few minutes once you know where to look. Use level ground, follow your vehicle’s instructions and add oil only when you can confirm the correct type. If anything about the reading or procedure is unclear, your owner’s manual or a qualified repair professional can help.
