Checking your engine oil is the single easiest maintenance task any driver can perform — it takes two minutes, requires no tools beyond your hands, and can prevent engine damage that costs thousands of dollars. Despite this, most drivers rely entirely on dashboard warnings and oil change reminders rather than physically checking the oil between services. Here’s how to do it correctly.
When to Check
The best time to check oil is when the engine is warm but has been off for at least 5 minutes. This allows oil to drain back into the pan from throughout the engine, giving you an accurate reading. Checking immediately after shutting off a hot engine will read low because significant oil is still coating engine surfaces. Checking a cold engine can also give a slightly inaccurate reading depending on the vehicle.
Check your oil at least once a month, and always before a long road trip or if you notice any change in engine behavior (increased noise, rough running, or a warning light).
Step-by-Step: Checking Your Oil
- Step 1: Park on a level surface and wait 5 minutes after turning off the engine if it was running
- Step 2: Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick — it typically has a brightly colored handle (yellow, orange, or red) and is usually located toward the front of the engine
- Step 3: Pull the dipstick out completely and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel
- Step 4: Reinsert the dipstick all the way until it seats, then pull it out again
- Step 5: Read the oil level — there are two marks on the dipstick labeled MIN/MAX, L/H, or shown with a cross-hatched area. The oil film on the dipstick should fall between these marks, ideally near the MAX mark.
- Step 6: Also note the oil color and consistency — should be amber to dark brown and liquid; milky or foamy is a warning sign
What to Do if Oil Is Low
If the oil level is below the MIN mark, add the correct oil type and viscosity for your vehicle — one quart at a time, rechecking after each addition. Never overfill; oil above the MAX mark can foam and cause lubrication problems. If you’re adding more than a quart between changes regularly, bring the vehicle in for diagnosis — normal oil consumption is less than a quart per 3,000 miles.
Norm’s Auto Clinic performs a complimentary oil level and visual inspection check at every service visit. We’re at 19 N. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429 — call (918) 279-8100. Serving Coweta, Broken Arrow, Wagoner, and the Tulsa area.