How-to: Check engine oil levels

How-to: Check engine oil levels

Although it’s often overlooked, checking your engine’s oil level is a key way to keep your car safe and long-lasting.

For the car owners that don’t have the oil levels displayed on the dashboard, and have to manually check under the bonnet:

Here’s a quick 4-step guide to teach you how to check your engine’s oil levels.

Before following through with the steps, you’ll need:

·         Bottle of engine oil – in case you need a top up

·         Funnel – to top oil up without spilling

·         Nitrile gloves – to prevent you from getting your hands dirty

·         A towel or cloth – for cleaning the dipstick and drips

1. Ensure the engine is off, and the car is parked on a flat surface.

Parking at a slant or on a slope will make it difficult to get accurate readings.

It’s important to never try to check anything under the bonnet if your engine is turned on.

2. Find the dipstick and wipe it with your towel/cloth.

Open the bonnet and locate the brightly coloured handle, that’s the dipstick.

If you can’t locate it, consult your vehicle’s handbook and then wipe it.

When checking the oil dipstick, you'll see 2 marks notched into the clean dipstick for maximum and minimum oil levels.

3. Dip your car's dipstick to check the oil level.

Replace the clean dipstick and push it all the way back into its tube.

Pull it back out and check where the oil line is in relation to the notches on the end.

·         If the top of the oil streak is between the minimum and maximum marks, the level is okay.

·         If the level is below halfway between the marks, then we recommend adding some oil.

·         If it's close to or even below the minimum mark, then you need to add some oil.

4. Top up your engine oil

If your oil needs topping up, find the oil filler cap in your engine bay. This should have the word ‘oil’ on it or an outline of an oil can.

·         Remove the oil filler cap and carefully pour your oil in using a funnel.

·         The difference between the minimum and maximum notches on a dipstick is about a litre of oil. So, if the level was on or below minimum when you checked it, you’ll need to pour in about 1 litre.

·         If you don't know how much you'll need, add a little at a time.

·         Wait a couple of minutes to let the oil run down into the bottom of the engine and then recheck the level on the dipstick.

·         Putting too much oil into your car is just as bad as having too little. So, make sure you don’t overdo it.

Finally, remember to make sure that the oil you use is suitable for your car, using the wrong oil can do more damage than good.

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