How to check car oil

Have you just noticed your oil light come on in the car? This is an indication that you need to check your oil.

Your engine oil lubricates and helps to protect all the moving parts of your car engine. So it’s important to keep an eye on the oil level, yet easy to forget. If you don’t top up your oil, eventually the level will get so low that it could lead to problems and could eventually result in engine failure.

Checking car oil levels

You don’t need to wait until your next service. You can check your car’s engine oil levels yourself in a few minutes:

Sometimes locating the oil dipstick can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look for.

What is the oil dipstick?

When you open your car hood, look for a yellow or orange circular handle near the engine. When you pull this handle, a long metal stick will slide out. This is the dipstick, the tool you use to do a car oil dipstick reading. If you have trouble locating it, consult your owner’s manual.

Remove the dipstick, clean the entire length of the stick with your rag/scrap fabric, and slide it back in, ensuring it is inserted all the way back. Then, remove the dipstick again and inspect the end of the dipstick. It should be easy to inspect the oil dipstick level just by looking at where the oil stops on the stick. Your dipstick may have two small lines, grooves or holes, or a textured area to indicate the oil level between low and high (or ‘add’ and ‘fill’).

If the oil level is between the indicators, simply reinsert it and keep an eye on the level by checking at least once a month and before any long trips.

If the dipstick indicates the oil level is low, feel the texture of the oil on the end of the dipstick by rubbing some between your fingers. If the oil is smooth and slippery, top it up with some fresh oil. A gritty texture could indicate that you’re due for an oil change. If you’re not sure, contact your local mycar mechanic for expert advice.

How much oil does a car take?

In general, a vehicle with a larger engine will hold a larger volume of oil, but always check your owner’s manual to find out exactly how much motor oil your car needs, or visit your local mycar mechanic for help and a general check-up or service.

What if there is too much oil in the car?

Generally there is some tolerance for the oil level in your engine. However, if the engine oil is reading much higher than the ‘full’ mark on the dipstick, or you accidently overfill it when topping up, it may need to be drained. Contact a mechanic for assistance, as in some cases this can result in serious engine damage.

Some signs of too much oil include:

What happens when the engine oil is low?

The first sign that your oil is too low is when you see the engine oil light on the dashboard. When there isn’t enough oil in the car the oil pressure is drops, and it can eventually result in severe damage to the engine.

If your oil light comes on, check your oil using your dipstick and if the level is below the ‘low’ indicator, top it up, ensuring the level is within the sufficient range before driving again. If you have problems such as the engine overheating, or you notice anything unusual like clunking sounds, the low oil may have already caused damage, so you should contact a mechanic for professional advice.

Is car oil the same as engine oil?

Engine oil can be referred to as car oil, motor oil or engine lubricant, which are the same thing. They all refer to the base oils and additives that help lubricate your engine so that it runs smoothly. The next time you have an ‘oil in car engine’ problem, you don’t have to worry about being super specific.

Which oil is best for your car?

When it comes to finding the best oil for your car, look no further than your owner’s manual.

The owner’s manual will list what type of oil is recommended for your car, factoring in the right viscosity (or thickness) of the oil for your engine and driving conditions. Premium oil is typically used for new cars, but again, you should refer to the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.

If you think might be time for an oil change, help is only a phone call away. Call in the expert car mechanics at your nearest mycar and our friendly team will make sure your car is in tip-top condition.