Overdue for an Oil Change? Here’s How to Check Your Oil

Low oil levels can affect your car’s performance and cause even bigger problems. If you want to avoid engine failure and expensive repairs, you should make sure there is always enough oil in your engine. Check your oil once a week for a month to get a sense of how quickly your oil gets depleted. You can then check less frequently, like every 4-6 weeks. Here’s how to check your oil.  

Look for Signs You’re Overdue for an Oil Change

First, you should be aware of the signs that you’re overdue for an oil change:

• The ‘change oil’ light is on
• There is dirty oil on the dipstick
• You smell burnt oil
• Your fuel economy is lower
• You notice strange, loud noises
• Your engine keeps stalling
• The engine is overheating
• You see dark exhaust fumes
• Shifting gears is more difficult

Get Ready to Check the Oil

Make sure your car is parked on level ground and the engine is turned off. The car should be in park, and the parking brake should be engaged. Start by lifting the hood. 

Find the Dipstick

Next, find the dipstick. It should have a small yellow or orange handle with a graphic of an oil can on it. Pull the dipstick out of the tube and wipe oil off of the end with a rag or towel. Look for two lines on the dipstick: the one closer to the bottom indicates the oil level is one quart low, and the upper line indicates the oil tank is full.

Insert the Dipstick

Insert the dipstick into the oil tank slowly and push it all the way down. When you withdraw it, look at the tip to make sure it has oil on it. If the oil level is at the “low” or “add” level, you should add a quart of oil.

Determine What Type of Oil Your Car Needs

The best way to find out what type of oil your car needs is to read the owner’s manual. If you don’t have one, you can often find one online, at a used bookstore, or on a car service website. You can even ask an employee at an auto service center or auto parts store to look it up for you; they often have information in their system about what type of oil specific cars require. You need to use oil that is the right thickness or viscosity for your car’s engine, as well as for your climate.

Add Oil and Recheck

Once you add a quart of oil, wait five minutes for the oil to travel all the way down the oil tank. Then check the oil levels again. The level should be at least between the “low” and “high” marks.

Call a Towing Service in Arizona

If you don’t have a way to get oil for your car, or if your car’s oil level is still dangerously low even after adding a quart of oil, you should have your car towed to a service center. Call us at Barnett’s Towing today at (800) 722-2302 or contact us online for 24-hour towing services in Arizona.