You probably know how important it is to get your oil changed regularly, but do you know how to check car oil yourself? If your answer is no, don’t worry you’re not alone! Lots of people are intimidated by what’s going on under their hood, and most of them determine when an oil change is due by the little sticker on the windshield. It’s actually a good idea to regularly check your car oil between changes, and your N Charlotte auto care team is going to tell you how!
How to check car oil, a step-by-step guide.
Turn off your vehicle and let it cool down before getting started. Also, try to park on a flat, even surface.
Pop the hood and locate the dipstick. The dipstick is a tab or ring that will be sticking out of the engine, and this is how you’ll check the car oil.
Remove the dipstick from the engine, carefully. Once you pull it out, wipe the dipstick on a clean rag and then put it back in. You’ll then remove it one more time to see if it has oil on it. This is what you’re looking for -
What color is the oil? If your oil is a dark caramel color, it’s clean! However, if the oil is black or brown or you spot small pieces of debris in it then it’s dirty. Dirty oil needs to be changed out for your car to run efficiently. If your oil is a milky color, you’ll probably need to get your car looked at because there may be coolant leaking into the oil. Definitely call your Toyota of N Charlotte auto service experts if you’re worried about the color of your oil.
What level is your oil at? If the oil level is in between the two little tic marks at the end of your dipstick, you have enough oil in the car for your engine to operate properly. If the oil level is lower than the bottom mark, that’s too low and you probably need an oil change. It’s also possible that your car is leaking oil, so it’s a good idea to talk to your auto service tech quickly.
Place the dipstick back into the engine. Now you know whether or not you need an oil change, and if you do you can reach out to the N Charlotte Toyota service center to schedule an appointment.
Additional tips for oil changes
Now you know how to check car oil, but here are a few more tips and tricks!
You’ve probably heard that oil change frequency is determined by mileage, but it can also be determined by time. On average, you should get an oil change every 3,000 miles OR every 3 months - whichever comes first. This can vary depending on what kind of motor oil you use, but it’s a misconception that driving your car less frequently means you don’t still need regular oil changes. Our Toyota of N Charlotte auto service team can get you on a schedule and send reminders when you’re due for an appointment. We want to help keep your Toyota in the best shape possible!
It’s a good idea to figure out what kind of oil your car requires. Typically, this information can be found in the owner’s manual or you can always ask our N Charlotte auto care experts for assistance. If you have an older vehicle, keep in mind that the oil your car requires can change over time so it may be a good idea to check in and see if you should be making any changes.
Schedule your next oil change at Toyota of N Charlotte
If you want to learn more about how to check car oil properly or want to schedule an oil change at Toyota of N Charlotte, you can reach us seven days a week at (704) 875-9199, schedule online, or stop by 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.
