How to Check Car Oil

 
Your car’s oil is vital to keeping its engine parts running efficiently so that your car can drive smoothly on the Elk Grove roads. Knowing how to check car oil is essential to keeping your vehicle running at its best. Luckily, you don’t have to be an ace mechanic to determine when it’s time to bring in your vehicle for an oil change. Whether you have a new or pre-owned vehicle, you can learn the basics with Kareem Auto Sales Inc.
 

Checking Your Oil Level: Step-by-Step

To check your vehicle’s oil level, you’ll simply perform the following steps:

1. Park the vehicle on ground level and make sure the engine has been off for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Pop open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. Some newer vehicles that have electric oil monitors don’t have dipsticks, so you can always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to locate the dipstick.
3. Pull out the vehicle’s dipstick and wipe away any oil.
4. Once the dipstick is wiped clean, re-insert the dipstick, pull it back out, and see how much oil is on the dipstick.

The dipstick should have two distinct markings on it. If the oil is between these two markings, then your oil level is good. If it is not between these two markings, then you’ll need new oil. Consult your owner’s manual to check what kind of oil your vehicle needs.

Why You Should Check Your Oil

Oil is responsible for lubricating your engine’s parts and reducing friction. Over time, your oil collects debris and particles, which causes the oil to build up. This is why it’s important to change your oil and why it’s crucial to check your oil regularly. Oil changes are usually recommended twice a year minimum, and it’s recommended that you check your oil manually about once every month. It’s important to note that even if you don’t drive your vehicle through Roseville often, contaminants can still build up in the oil.

Resetting the Oil Change Light

Even though you’ve gotten an oil change, the change oil light can still flash on your dashboard afterwards. To reset your change oil light, you can follow this simple process:

• Turn off everything in your car except the engine.
• Find the button that says “reset” on your dashboard. It’s usually located between the speedometer and fuel gauge.
• Hold down the reset button until the change oil light begins to flash.
• Turn off the ignition. After a few seconds, start your car up again.

Your change oil light should be reset. It’s important to remember that you’ll only want to do this after you’ve actually changed your oil so that you don’t forget to do so. If you have other problems with oil or your engine in general, visit your local Folsom service center.

Learn More with Kareem Auto Sales Inc

Now that you know how to check car oil, you can be prepared for when it’s time to get your oil changed. We’re located in Sacramento, but you can contact us to learn more tips like how often to replace a car battery and more. We can even show you how to fix scratches and dents to keep your vehicle looking like new wherever you go.