How to Check Car Oil

Motor oil is the lifeblood of your Volkswagen vehicle. To ensure all of the engine’s internal moving parts are protected and working properly, the right oil level is a must. Because of this, you may be wondering how to check car oil. Fortunately, it is an easy task for drivers in the Vineland and Millville areas to perform right at home. Learn how to check car oil in this handy guide from Volkswagen of Salem County below.

How to Check Oil Level in Car

If you have a newer vehicle, it is possible that it has an electronic oil monitor instead of the traditional dipstick. You can find this out by looking at your owner’s manual. If your car is equipped with a traditional dipstick, you will need to check the oil manually. Here’s how:

1. The engine of the vehicle should be turned off and cold. Be sure that the vehicle is also parked on level ground for an accurate reading.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood to locate the dipstick.
3. Take the dipstick out of the engine and be sure to clean off any oil at the end of it.
4. Re-insert the dipstick all the way back into the tube. Take it out once again and check both sides to see where the oil level falls.

How do you know if your vehicle has the proper level of oil? The dipstick will have markings that let you know if you need to add more oil. If the top of your oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, you are good to go! If it is under that level, more oil is required. When adding more oil, make sure to consult your owner’s manual to see what type your vehicle needs. Once you have purchased the correct oil, remove the oil filler cap, then add oil a little at a time until it reaches the designated level on the dipstick.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Why is knowing how to check car oil so important? Oil is needed to ensure that your vehicle runs as intended. An oil change is recommended at least twice a year, even if you do not do a lot of driving in the Washington Township area. You should check the oil level in your vehicle at least once a month so you can catch leaks or other issues before they become more significant problems. If you notice warning signs like your car’s hood is hot to the touch or steam billowing out from under the hood, it could be due to an oil leak. This can cause your engine to overheat, so it is important to have your vehicle looked at by a professional as soon as possible.

Trust the Team at Volkswagen of Salem County

Now that you know how to check the oil level in a car, you may notice that it is time to fill your vehicle’s oil or get an oil change. Rely on the automotive experts at Volkswagen of Salem County to keep your vehicle operating at peak performance. Contact us today with any questions.