How to Check Car Oil

While it may not seem like an essential component of your vehicle, motor oil is actually crucial to ensure that the engine’s internal moving parts are protected and operating as the manufacturer intended. It is important to always have the proper level of clean, uncontaminated motor oil so your vehicle can run smoothly on the roads of Tysons Corner. The service experts at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles would be more than happy to share how to check car oil. It is a simple task that can be performed right in your driveway. 

Tips on How to Check the Oil Level in a Car

If you have a newer vehicle, you may have noticed that it does not have a traditional dipstick. If this is the case, your vehicle has an electronic oil monitor. If you are not sure what your vehicle has, that information should be available in your owner’s manual. If you need to check the oil in your car manually, all you need to do is follow the simple steps below. Learning how to check car oil should only take a few minutes:

1. Park the vehicle on level ground so you can get an accurate reading. Make sure that the engine is turned off and cold before proceeding.
2. Pop open the hood of the car so that you can locate the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe any oil from the end of it.
4. Put the dipstick back in place before pulling it out once more. Inspect both sides to see where the level is. If the top of your oil streak falls within two marks or a cross-hatched area, you have enough oil in your vehicle. If the level falls below the recommended amount, find the right oil for your make and model and slowly add a little oil at a time until the level is where it should be. 

Why is it Necessary to Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

While it is easy to overlook this task, it is so important to the health of your vehicle and its performance. Oil checks should be performed on a monthly basis to ensure your car has enough oil and that there is not a leak in the system. You will also want to perform an oil change at least twice a year, but your driving habits could make this task necessary more often. 

If you notice your car’s hood is hot to the touch, or there is steam billowing out from under the hood, you will want to make an appointment at our service center as soon as possible. An oil leak could be causing your engine to overheat. 

Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles Makes Car Care Hassle-Free

When your vehicle is in need of service, trust the team at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles. It is our goal to make vehicle maintenance hassle-free and affordable.You can contact us today if you have any questions. We want to help you get back on the roads of Alexandria as soon as possible.