How to Check Oil Level in Car

When it comes to staying on top of the routine maintenance of your Harlingen-area vehicle, changing the engine oil is an important part of what keeps your engine running smoothly. Whether you’re simply running errands or strapping in for an off-road adventure, you need to make sure your vehicle’s oil is ready to protect the internal moving parts of your engine. Learn how to check car oil with the team at Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and if need help along the way, contact us with all your vehicle service questions. 

Steps for How to Check Car Oil 

If you’re interested in DIY car care, learning how to check the oil level in your car is a good way to start. Generally, newer vehicles use electronic oil monitors instead of traditional oil dipsticks. Take a look at the vehicle’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. For how to check the oil level in your car, follow these simple steps:

1. Ensure the vehicle is parked on level ground and the engine itself is turned off and cold. 
2. Pop the hood, and locate the dipstick. 
3. Remove the dipstick from the engine, wipe away any residue from the end of it. 
4. Once clean, re-insert the dipstick back into its tube and pull it out again to get an accurate marker of where the oil level is. 

There are marks on the dipstick to indicate where the oil level should be. Typically, a sign of proper oil levels is when the oil line is located between two marks or within a cross-hatched area. If it doesn’t fall between the marks, it’s time to add more oil. 

Be sure to fill the vehicle with the recommended oil type by verifying with the owner’s manual, then incrementally add more oil until the level hits the proper mark on the dipstick. 

Importance of Checking Your Car’s Oil Level

Now that you know how to check the car oil, why is it necessary? When life gets busy around McAllen, it’s easy to forget about checking the oil level, however, maintaining a proper oil level is essential for the vehicle’s performance. While oil changes should be scheduled at least twice a year, oil checks should be performed each month. This quick task allows you a chance to stay on top of your vehicle’s health, so there’s nothing holding you back from adventures around town. If the vehicle’s hood is hot to the touch or has steam coming from under the hood, that’s a sign of an oil leak and overheated engine. Easily schedule service online at the Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service department. 

Resetting the Oil Change Light

After learning how to check car oil, the vehicle may need the oil change light turned off. While each vehicle has its own intricacies, the general process for resetting the oil change light is the same. However, you should make sure you’re not missing an important oil change. 

How to Reset Oil Change Light

• Have the engine running, but turn off all the systems in the car. 
• Locate the “reset” button or stick on the dashboard. This is typically located by the speedometer and the fuel gauge. 
• Press the button down until you observe a change to the oil change warning light (signs of resetting may vary depending on the vehicle). 
• Turn off the engine for a few seconds, then restart the car. 

Now you’ve completed a reset of the oil change light!

Explore Service Tips with Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! 

Keeping up with your car care gives you a chance to learn the signs of your car and be prepared for any problems that happen down the road. Once you’ve mastered how to check the oil level in your car, take a look at some of our other Service Tips. If you have any questions or need help locating the right parts, don’t hesitate to talk to the team in our South Padre Island-area service department.