Checking your motor oil level is one of the easiest and most important jobs you’ll do as a car owner. Here’s how to check and top up your car engine oil.
Should I check my oil when the engine is hot or cold?
Make sure the engine is off, cold and the car is parked on a level surface. You’ll need a cloth, preferably a clean one, about the size of a tissue to wipe the dipstick. Kitchen roll will do the trick but an old piece of clothing, towel or bedding will work just as well.
What is the dipstick in a car?
Located beneath the bonnet, this is a thin metal strip that disappears into the bowels of the engine to the oil reservoir or sump. The dipstick will have two horizontal lines on the bottom for minimum and maximum and a shaded area between the two. Pull the dipstick out and you’re looking for oil to be in this zone. Some premium cars now have an electronic ‘dipstick’ which enables you to see how much oil there is by showing the level on the car’s screen.
How to find the dipstick?
Dipsticks usually have a brightly coloured ring on them. These are generally yellow or orange. The ring is so you can put your finger through it to pull it out. If you can’t see the dipstick, your car’s user manual will show you where it is.
What is the correct way to check oil level?
Pull the dipstick out and wipe it on your cloth. Then reinsert it before pulling it out again. There should be oil somewhere in the shaded zone between the markers. If there isn’t any on the dipstick, or it’s at the minimum marker or below, that’s bad news.
How to fill your car with oil
Find the oil filler cap. These are usually black or metal coloured and feature the same oil can symbol that you see on your dashboard warning lights. If you’re struggling, your user manual will show you where it is. Remove the cap and put the correct oil for your car in.
Knowing how much oil your car needs depends on the specific model. But if you’re topping oil up, look at the dipstick. The difference between the minimum and maximum markers is usually around a litre.
You don’t want to over fill the oil so pour in 50 to 100ml at a time. Check with the dip stick as you go.
Remember: oil has to travel down to the sump so it’ll take a little time to pool there, particularly in low temperatures.
When the oil level is in the middle of the min and max markers your work is done. Replace the oil filler cap, relocate the dipstick, remove your cloth and close the bonnet.
How often should you check your oil?
Checking the oil is something you should do on a regular basis, ideally at least once a month.
An engine relies on its oil to stop its metal parts rubbing together. If there’s not enough oil, parts will wear prematurely and you risk the engine literally grinding to a halt.
I’ve been writing about cars and motoring for more than 25 years. My career started on a long-departed classic car weekly magazine called AutoClassic. I’ve since pitched up at Autosport, Auto Express, the News of the World, Sunday Times and most recently the Daily Telegraph. When I’m not writing about cars and motoring, I’m probably doing some kind of sport or working in my garden.
