How to Check Car Oil

Drivers understand the importance of motor oil as it’s the lifeblood of your Toyota vehicle, and it’s just as essential to make sure there’s enough to protect the engine’s internal moving parts while you’re driving on the streets of Pooler and Chatham County. Learn more about how to check car oil from the service team at Savannah Toyota!

How to Check the Oil Level in a Car

Drivers will find that some of the newer cars have electronic oil monitors that don’t use traditional dipsticks. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the automaker’s recommendations. If you are checking the oil manually, follow these steps:

1. Park the car on level ground, turn the engine off, and wait for it to get cold.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe any engine oil from it.
4. Re-insert the dipstick back in, pull it out, and look at both sides to check the level.

The oil dipstick will indicate the proper oil level. If you notice that the oil streak is between the marks or within a cross-hatched area, then the engine oil level is correct. If not, more car oil is needed. Before you add oil, make sure you have the recommended grade listed in your owner’s manual. Remove the oil filler cap and add oil a little bit at a time until the oil dipstick shows that you have the proper level. 

Why Should You Check Your Oil Level?

The right oil level is essential to your car’s performance and running smoothly on the Savannah roads. An oil change is recommended at least twice a year, depending on the model and how it’s driven. It’s best to check your oil level at least once a month to catch any leaks and to make sure your car has enough oil for your next big road trip. If you noticed that the hood is too hot to touch or steam is billowing out from under the hood, schedule a service appointment right away. There could be an oil leak, and the engine is overheating.

Get More Service Tips at Savannah Toyota

At Savannah Toyota, we offer a rotating selection of service specials for extra savings. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our service team if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help any way that we can!