How to Check Car Oil

Your car’s oil is one of its most essential parts, designed to protect the engine’s internal moving parts while you’re on the roads of Oklahoma City. It’s important that your engine oil stays at the right level to keep the engine running properly, so you should regularly check to make sure the level is correct. Luckily, this is a relatively straightforward process, and we’ve got everything you need to know. Read on to discover how to check the oil level in your car with the service team at Post Oak Toyota!

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

First of all, you may be able to automatically check your oil level with an electronic oil monitor–some newer vehicles have this feature instead of a traditional dipstick. Your owner’s manual should tell you if you can check it automatically. To check the oil level manually, just follow these steps:

1. Park your vehicle on level ground and leave the engine off until the vehicle runs cold.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe any excess oil off of it.
4. Re-insert the dipstick all the way back into its tube, then pull it out and look at both sides to see where the level is.

There will be an obvious way that the dipstick indicates the proper oil level—it could be represented by a cross-hatched area, or two parallel lines. If the oil is within these areas, it’s at the proper level. If it’s below the area, you need to add more oil. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the correct grade of oil, then just add the oil a little at a time until you’ve reached the correct level.

How Often Do I Need An Oil Change?

You’ll want to get your oil changed at least twice yearly on average, although your specific interval may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. An oil check, however, should be done much more frequently–usually around at least once a month. It’s a good idea to stay on top of oil checks so you can ensure there are no leaks or issues that could be damaging your engine.

If you’re driving around Edmond and you notice that your car’s hood is hot to the touch or has steam billowing out from under it, this indicates a dangerous oil leak that is overheating your engine. Stop the engine as soon as possible and bring your vehicle to our service center immediately.

How to Reset Oil Change Light

If your oil change is light, it means that it’s time to get your oil replaced. However, if you’ve already changed your oil but the light is still on, there’s a simple process to reset it. Just follow these steps:

• Turn all systems of your car off, but leave the engine running.
• Find the “reset” button or stick on the dashboard (typically found near the speedometer and fuel gauge).
• Hold the button down until the oil change light begins to flash (sign of resetting may differ per vehicle).
• Turn the ignition off, wait a few seconds, then turn your car back on.

Turn to Post Oak Toyota for All Your Service Needs!

If you have any questions about how to check the oil level in your car, feel free to contact our office anytime. You can also reach out if you’d like to learn more about the services we offer, and why it’s important to keep your car on a regular maintenance schedule. If it’s time to get your oil changed, or if you need any other kind of service for your Shawnee-area vehicle, you can schedule an appointment right from our website!