Checking your car’s oil level is simple and only takes a few minutes, but it can save your engine from serious damage if the oil is low.

Quick Scoop

  • Goal: Make sure the oil sits between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick, not below and not over.
  • When: Check about once a month, and always before long trips.
  • Where: Park on flat, level ground with the engine off (ideally cool or at least rested a few minutes after driving).

Prep: Before You Start

  • Park on a flat surface and engage the parking brake so the car is stable and the reading is accurate.
  • Turn the engine off and let it sit a few minutes so oil can drain back into the sump and give a true level.
  • Have a clean rag or paper towel ready to wipe the dipstick.

Finding The Dipstick

  • Open the hood and secure it; the release is usually under the dashboard, with a safety catch under the hood front edge.
  • Look for a thin metal rod with a colored handle (often yellow or orange), sometimes marked with an oil-can symbol: that’s the dipstick.
  • Note: Some newer cars have no dipstick and use an electronic oil-level display in the dash or infotainment screen; in that case, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Step‑By‑Step: How To Check

  1. Pull out and wipe
    • Pull the dipstick all the way out.
    • Wipe the tip completely clean with your rag or towel so the old oil smear doesn’t fool you.
  1. Reinsert fully
    • Slide the clean dipstick back down the tube until it seats fully, like sheathing a sword.
 * Wait a second, then pull it back out smoothly, keeping it tip‑down so the oil doesn’t run along the stick and blur the level.
  1. Read the level
    • Look at the tip: you’ll see two marks (lines, dots, “L/H”, “MIN/MAX”, or a crosshatched area).
 * The oil “streak” should fall **between** these marks; below the lower mark means low oil, above the upper mark means overfilled.
  1. Check oil condition (quick glance)
    • Healthy oil is usually clear brown to dark amber; very thick, gritty, or milky oil can signal problems and is a sign to get the car checked.

If The Level Is Low

  • Only add oil if the level is at or below the lower mark or very close to it.
  • Use the grade specified in your owner’s manual (for example 5W‑30) to avoid engine issues.
  • Add a little at a time through the oil filler cap on top of the engine (not the dipstick tube), then wait a minute and recheck with the dipstick so you don’t overfill.

Special Case: No Dipstick

  • If your vehicle only has an electronic oil‑level system, use the car’s menu or instrument cluster option labeled for oil level while the car is on level ground and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Many such systems require the engine to be warm and the car to be stationary for a few minutes before giving a reading.

TL;DR: Park on level ground, engine off; pull and wipe the dipstick, reinsert and pull again; make sure the oil sits between the low and full marks, topping up slowly with the correct oil if it’s below the minimum.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.