How to Check Car Oil

Oil plays a crucial role in your vehicle’s ability to function, and it’s vital to check your oil at least once a month to ensure that your engine is running properly. Learn how to check the oil level in your car in this quick guide from Fred Martin Superstore’s service center. And afterward, schedule service with us if you’re in need of an oil change!

How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

We always recommend checking your specific owner’s manual for recommendations. Some newer models out on Brunswick roads have electronic oil monitors, and these don’t use traditional dipsticks. If you’re checking the oil manually, follow the steps below:

1. Make sure your vehicle is on level ground and that the engine is turned off and cold. 
2. Open your vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe off any oil from the end of the stick with a rag or paper towel. Doing this will give you a more accurate reading when you place the dipstick back in.
4. Re-insert the dipstick all the way down into its tube, and then pull it back out. Look at both sides of the dipstick to see where the level is.
5. Dipsticks always have a way of indicating the proper oil level. If the top of your oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the level is good. If not, then you’ll need to add more oil. It may also be time for an oil change.

If you’re adding oil, buy the grade recommended in your specific make and model’s manual to avoid any issues. Remove the oil filter cap and add the oil a little at a time, checking the oil level with the dipstick until it’s sufficiently filled.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Most people probably don’t check their car’s oil level that often, but your car’s oil is essential to your vehicle’s performance. Oil changes are generally recommended twice a year depending on factors like how often you drive and how the car is driven, and checking your oil once a month is generally recommended for good measure. If you notice your car’s hood is unusually hot to the touch or steam is billowing out from under the hood, stop driving our vehicle immediately and schedule maintenance. In these kinds of cases, you may be experiencing an oil leak and your engine is most likely overheating because of it.

How to Reset Your Oil Change Light

We recommend only resetting your oil change light after you’ve changed your oil and the notification won’t turn off. If you reset your oil change light without changing your oil, you put your vehicle at risk.

How to Reset Oil Change Light: Step-by-Step

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

The oil light should be reset. If you’re still experiencing issues or your light won’t go off, we recommend reaching out to our service team as your vehicle could have a problem that needs to be diagnosed.

Choose Fred Martin Superstore’s Service Center for Your Oil Changes

Now that you know how to check your car’s oil, you’re ready to start checking your oil once a month to make sure that it’s running properly. If you need an oil change for your current vehicle, contact Fred Martin Superstore’s service center for a quick oil change near Canton. We even offer Norton drivers service now and pay-over-time options!