Learn How to Check Your Vehicle Engine Oil Levels

Checking the oil in your vehicle’s is mostly an easy painless task and quick to do. This is something most driver will be able to do on their own. Even if your not skilled enough to change your own oil, checking it is easy. Most vehicle models will be due for an oil change usually about every three months or three thousand miles. Always check your owners manual for further details. However in between oil changes it’s a good idea to regularly check your engine oil levels. This will ensure you are vehicle is never to low or you can check for dirty oil. If that the oil is indeed dirty or smells of gasoline, that’s a sign it’s time to get your oil changed.

Make sure to regularly check at least once a month. Oil reduces the friction in your engine and keeps it running smoothly. Make sure to also check the oil levels using the oil dipstick. If the oil appears to be clean but only reaches the “Add” part labeled on the dipstick, you’ll need to now add more oil.

Keep in mind you will find that vehicles don’t have a oil dipstick. If this happens to you and your vehicle does not have an oil dipstick, check the owner’s manual, and it will show you how to check your oil.

How to Check Your Vehicle Engine Oil Levels 

To check your oil is very simple. This will involve removing the dip stick to see levels and test quality as we mentioned above on whether it’s dirty or not.  To find out whether your vehicle needs oil, follow these steps:

  • Make sure your engine in the vehicle is cold before trying to check the oil.
  • Remove the dipstick by pulling it out.
  • Next be sure to have a clean, lint free rag on hand.
  • If you cannot find the dipstick check your manual to find it’s location.

Now insert the dipstick back into the hole it was just pulled from. If you have any trouble and the dipstick gets stuck on the way in, you will just need to turn it around. The hole it fits into is a curved pipe. The metal dipstick will bend naturally in the direction of the curved pipe if you insert it the correct way. It’s very simple, just put it back in the way it came out.

Next now that you know where the dipstick is, and how to remove it and put it back in your going to check it. Pull the dipstick back out again, and be sure to look closely at the film of oil on the end of the stick. Keep in mind of how the oil looks and how high the oil film reaches on the dipstick. Now you can see whether you need to add or change the oil.

Lastly, now that you have successfully checked your oil levels you can put the dipstick back into the hole, and your done!

Some quick tips:

  • You will notice your oil will turn black very quickly, however don’t worry that does not affect the quality of the oil. What you want to do to make sure the quality is still good. Just rub a little of the oil from the dipstick between your thumb and index finger, if you find that it leaves a dirty smudge, it most likely needs to be changed.
  • On the other hand if the oil comes out very clean but the levels only read the “Add” level on the dipstick, you will now need to add some oil.

Is your old clunker on it’s last leg and you are way beyond a simple oil change? I suggest you head on over to Gulf Chrysler Dodge Jeep and check out some of their brand new inventory.

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