How to Check the Oil in Your Vehicle

Whether you drive a sturdy Ford F-150 or a zippy Mustang, your vehicle will need enough clean oil to run properly. Not only that, but it’s entirely necessary for your car’s longevity. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to check on the oil. You won’t even need tools to do it. Follow along to learn the process and use our Ask a Tech form if you have any questions for our team at Larsen Motors.

Preparation

With most modern vehicles, oil changes are necessary every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. However, even if you don’t drive it very often, you’ll still need to replace it. This time frame is typically six months to a year, but it varies depending on the age of the vehicle and type of oil used. Because it’s often not clear cut when exactly the oil has become degraded, it’s a good idea to check on its condition yourself. While you don’t need any specialized tools or equipment for this job, you will need to find a paper towel or clean rag. Once you do, make sure the car is parked in a flat area with adequate lighting. This place could be your garage or parking lot during the daytime. 

Observing Oil Level and Condition

Now that you’re ready to begin, locate the dipstick under the hood. This handle is often brightly colored, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding it. However, if you don’t see it, open up your Owner’s Manual and determine its precise placement. Pull it out and wipe it clean with your towel. Fully replace the dipstick back into its slot. Then, remove it once again for examination. The stick has hatchings on it that indicate low and high levels. The residue should fall somewhere in the middle of these two markings. If it does, then the oil is at an appropriate level. Your next concern should be its condition. Clean oil is an amber color, so if you note that it’s black or if there’s any sludge, it’s time to schedule service for a replacement. 

Final Steps

With this assessment, it’s time to take next steps to ensure your vehicle continues to perform optimally. Say the oil in your vehicle is in good condition. Write the date down so, in the future, you’re aware of the last time you checked on it. You may need to evaluate its condition again in a month or two. However, if the oil doesn't meet expectations, bring it to our Service Center for a quick change, where our technicians will flush the system, replace the filter, and fill it back up. Our team handles this maintenance task all the time and can get you in and out quickly.