How To Check Your Oil

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from jmac and more videos in the Car Maintenance category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

It only takes a minute or two to check your oil—and that minute can save you a lot of aggravation, not to mention thousands of dollars in repairs!

To complete this How-To you will need:

A clean rag or a few paper towels
A can of oil
A funnel

Step 1: Park the car

Park the car on a level surface, like a flat driveway.

Step 2: Turn off engine

Turn the engine off.

Step 3: Locate dipstick

Open the hood and locate the dipstick. Its handle is usually yellow and shaped like a crossbar.

Tip: If you can't find the dipstick, check your owner's manual.

Step 4: Wipe off stick

Pull the dipstick out and, using a rag or paper towel, wipe off the stick.

Step 5: Locate marks

Locate the two marks: "Add" and "Full."

Step 6: Slide in dipstick

Slide the dipstick back into its slot, pushing it all the way down, before pulling it out again.

Step 7: Check oil line

See where the line of oil reaches on the stick. If it falls at or below the "Add" line, then you need to add oil.

Step 8: Remove fill cap

Remove the oil fill cap—it's usually marked with an icon that looks like Aladdin's magic lamp—and place the funnel into the opening.

Step 9: Pour in oil

Pour a quarter of the bottle into the funnel. Add the oil slowly so it doesn't go above the "Full" mark.

Tip: Use only the kind of oil recommended by your manual.

Step 10: Keep rechecking

Keep rechecking the oil until it's between "Add" and "Full."

Tip: If your oil is consistently on the low side, you may have a leak. Have your car checked by a professional.

Step 11: Replace cap

Remove the funnel and replace the oil cap.

Step 12: Replace dipstick

Replace the dipstick, making sure it's all the way in. Close the hood—and take her for a spin!

Thanks for watching How To Check Your Oil! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• HotHowTos
• auto
• autos
• automobile
• car
• check
• maintenance
• oil
• lube
• engine
• dipstick

[GuliblGuy]

CAN of oil? What is this, 1952?

[shadowxpirate]

You must be a dipstick.

[BlackSGMan]

Engine needs to be cold.

Hold the funnel up above the filler a bit so there's air flowing around it to stop any burp backs

Don't be retarded and do your oil this exact way.

[Edwin19911000]

Helpful ;)

[sorrylittlesharky]

EXCELLENT video, jovial, informative, great demonstrations!

[TroopAirsoft]

@loumidis15 original, haven't seen that comment 100,000 times

[loumidis15]

next video will be on how to breath

[XXSinfulBeautyXX]

oy think with your dipstick jimmy

[getalife04]

Yeah make sure you engine is cold and your car has sat for a while. Prime example I was reading about 2 quarts low when I tested after driving around for a while next morning I checked it and the oil was right where it should be maybe half a quart low. Make sure it's a cold engine.

[martygabe18]

lmfao i thought this was about a prostate exam

[travisjeanelle]

Fun fact the shape of the oil bottle has a reason. And that is so you dont have to use a funnel.

[StephenB58]

Listen to stazek1985. He is right. The best time to check your oil is in the morning, before you first crank your engine; after the oil has had time to settle all night long and the engine is cold. Make sure your vehicle is on a level surface, too. If you're parked facing uphill, your dipstick will read low when you may have plently of oil in your engine. If you're parked facing downhill, the dipstick may read full when you may really be low on oil.