How to Check Car Oil

You don’t have to be a professional mechanic to know how to check the oil level in a car. It’s important to understand how to check and maintain the proper level of motor oil so you can keep the engine of your Chevrolet vehicle protected and healthy, wherever your drives around Lehi may take you. Read on for some tips and tricks from the Ken Garff Chevrolet service team on how to check car oil!

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Be sure to check for recommendations in your owner’s manual regarding how to check your oil, since some newer vehicles come equipped with an electronic monitor for your oil. In that case, the process may vary from checking with a traditional dipstick. If you are checking your oil manually, follow the steps below: 

1. Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, turned off, and that the engine is cold. 
2. Open up the hood of the car and find the dipstick.
3. Remove the dipstick from its place and wipe off any remaining oil. 
4. Return the dipstick, making sure it is fully inserted into its tube, then pull it back out and examine both sides to check how high the oil level is.

Dipsticks always have some sort of indicator showing where the oil level should be. The oil level is good if the top of the oil streak is within a cross-hatched area or between two marks. If it isn’t within that section, more oil is needed.

Be sure to buy the grade of oil the owner’s manual recommends, remove the oil filler cap, then add oil in small increments until the dipstick shows you’ve filled the oil to the proper level.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Although checking your car’s oil seems simple, it’s a task that is often overlooked. The proper oil level is essential to the health and performance of your vehicle. Oil changes are generally recommended at least twice per year, though it can vary based on the model and how it’s driven. It’s recommended to check the oil at least once per month. Doing so will keep your car leak-free and ready to go, so you can feel confident on your journeys through Pleasant Grove. However, if you notice steam emerging from under the hood or feel that the hood is hot to the touch, schedule a service appointment right away. Your car’s engine could be overheating due to an oil leak. 

How to Reset Oil Change Light

Each vehicle has its own process for resetting the oil change light, but the general process remains the same overall. Make sure that you only reset the oil change light if you’ve already changed your oil. If you change the light and then forget to change your oil, it can lead to more permanent damage.

How to Reset Oil Change Light: Step-by-Step:

• Turn all car systems off, but leave the engine running.
• Find the “reset” on your dashboard (typically a button or stick found near the fuel gauge and speedometer).
• Hold down the button until the oil change light starts flashing (signs of resetting may differ depending on your vehicle).
• Turn off the ignition, wait a few seconds, then turn your car back on.

If you’ve accurately followed the steps above, your oil light should be reset. If you have any questions or concerns regarding how to reset your oil change light, don’t hesitate to reach out to our service team!

Keep Your Car Running Smoothly With Ken Garff Chevrolet

Our service team is always prepared to help, whether you are interested in our service specials or need access to our expertise. Schedule service with us today or contact us online for additional assistance. We hope to be your primary car service resource near Eagle Mountain!