How to Check Car Oil

Your vehicle’s oil is like the blood that gives it life, so you should always make sure you provide your vehicle with fresh, clean oil regularly so that it runs smoothly on the Lemon Grove roads. Oil is responsible for moving around the parts in your engine that allow your car to run efficiently. Luckily, checking the oil level in your car is easy to do and you can learn how to check the oil level in your car with the service department at San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. 

How to Check the Oil Level Your Car: Step-by-Step

If you have a newer vehicle with an electric motor, then you might not have a standard dipstick. To find out if you have a traditional dipstick, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Once you know where the dipstick is located, here’s how to check the car oil, step by step: 

1. Park the car on an even surface and make sure it has been off for at least 15 minutes to ensure that the engine is cool. 
2. Pop open the hood of the car and locate the dipstick. 
3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe away the engine oil. 
4. After wiping away the oil, reinsert the dipstick in its spot and pull it back out. 

The dipstick has an area where the oil should be. To tell if your oil level is good, there should be an oil streak between two marks or within a cross-hatched area on the dipstick. If it isn’t in this area, then more oil is needed. Schedule a service appointment with our certified experts at San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and we’ll get you back on the El Cajon roads in no time. 

Importance of Checking Your Oil Level

You know how to check the oil level in your car, but why is it important? What would happen if you didn’t? The oil in your car acts as a lubricant that moves the parts in your engine efficiently. Over time, your oil builds up debris and dirt particles and needs to be changed. It’s recommended that you should check your oil level at least once a month. This way, you can keep an eye out for anything in the oil’s texture and appearance that might be off-putting or to see if your oil level is just low. Checking your engine oil regularly can save you money on costly repairs in the future. 

Resetting the Oil Change Light

Each vehicle is a little different when it comes to resetting the oil change light, but the process is fairly universal in general. You will only want to reset the oil change light if you’ve actually changed your oil. Here is how you go about resetting the oil change light: 

• Leave your engine running, but turn off all of the other systems.
• On the dashboard, find the “reset” button or stick. You can usually locate this function near the speedometer or fuel gauge. 
• Hold down the reset button until the change oil light starts flashing. 
• You’ll then turn off the ignition, wait a few seconds, and turn your car back on. 

Your oil change light should now be fully reset and you’re good to get back on the La Jolla roads. 

Schedule Your Next Service with San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Now that you know how to check car oil for your vehicle, you can keep an eye out for your engine’s oil to see if it’s safe to drive on the San Diego roads. If you need some serious repairs, contact us to help you set up an appointment and resolve your vehicle’s issues quickly.

San Diego CDJR is not liable for any errors that make occur by taking this service related advice.