You probably want to get as much use out of your vehicle as possible. That means you need to make sure it has an appropriate oil level. In general, you need to change your oil at least once per year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. At Lawrence Chevrolet, it would be our pleasure to help you find the right oil for your vehicle. We also love to teach our drivers about the cars they drive. What are some of the steps you need to follow if you want to inspect your oil? Learn more below and give us a call with any questions or concerns.
1. Ensure Your Car Is Safe to Check
First, you need to make sure it is safe for you to check your oil level. You need to make sure your car's engine is off. You also need to make sure the transmission is in the park. Ideally, you should put the emergency brake on as well. If you do not know how to put on the emergency brake, you should take a look at the manual. You must make sure your car does not move when you are inspecting the oil level.
2. Pop the Hood and Find the Dipstick
Next, you need to open the hood of your car. Generally, there will be a lever to release the hood near the dashboard or driver’s seat. Pop the hood, lift it up, and make sure you deploy the rod to keep the hood up. Most cars have a stick you can slide into the hood to prevent it from falling on you when you are checking your oil. You also need to find the dipstick, as that is what you will use to check the oil level. Generally, it has a lightly colored handle, such as yellow or orange. It might also have an oil can symbol on it.
3. Get the Towel or Rag Ready
Go ahead and deploy the dipstick. When you take a look at it, you should see two separate lines. The first line, lower on the rod, is the line that indicates that the oil level is low. Then, the upper line represents a full tank. If the oil is at that level, it means that the oil level is full. You should also get a towel or rag ready to wipe off the dipstick after checking the oil.
4. Insert the Dipstick
Now, insert the dipstick into the oil canister. Try not to insert the dipstick too quickly, and make sure it is even when you slide it in. Push the dipstick all the way to the bottom. You might even feel the dipstick hit the bottom of the oil canister. Then, withdraw the dipstick slowly. Examine the tip, and make sure you can clearly see the oil level. As long as the oil level is somewhere in between the two lines, it means that you have enough oil in your vehicle. If the oil level is below the bottom line, it means that it is time for you to add more oil to it.
5. Clean Up and Close the Hood
If the oil level is low, you need to add more oil, which means it is time for you to call Lawrence Chevrolet to make an appointment. Before you do so, clean up. Dry off the dipstick, put it away, and make sure the oil canister is sealed. Then, close the hood and make sure it latches. If you have questions about what type of oil is best for your vehicle, our team can help you!
Call Lawrence Chevrolet Today to Make an Appointment
At Lawrence Chevrolet, we want you to get as many miles out of your vehicle as possible. That means you need to pay close attention to your oil level. If you allow your oil to get too low, your engine could overheat, and there might be too much friction between its internal components. Then, your engine might wear out more quickly. A member of our team is always available to assist you, so give us a call to schedule an appointment with our service center. We are always available to help you.