How to Check Car Oil

It’s safe to say that motor oil is the blood of your vehicle, and if your oil isn’t healthy then your car is suffering as a result of it. You should always make sure that there is the right amount of oil, and that it is good oil, running through your engine’s internal moving parts, to prevent accidents and damage while your driving around Dalton. Read on to learn more about how to check your car oil, provided by our service center, so that you can keep your vehicle running smoothly. 

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Some newer vehicles have electronic oil monitors that don’t use traditional dipsticks, so start by checking your owner’s manual for the automaker’s recommendations. If you’re checking the oil manually, simply follow these steps:

1. Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground and that the engine is turned off and cold.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe any oil from the end of it.
4. Re-insert the dipstick all the way back into its tube, then pull it out and look at both sides to see where the level is.

Dipsticks always have some way of indicating the proper oil level. If the top of your oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the level is good. If it isn’t, you’ll need to add more oil. Be sure to buy the grade recommended in the owner’s manual, remove the oil filler cap, then add oil a little at a time until the dipstick indicates you’ve reached the proper level. Making sure that you’re using the right grade for your vehicle is a ready way to make sure that your engine is running smoothly while traveling around Rockmart. 

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Checking your oil, while some might overlook it, is one of the easiest and yet most essential parts of your vehicle’s maintenance. Generally speaking, oil changes are recommended at least twice a year, but this depends on the model that you’re driving and your driving habits. Oil checks should be performed at least once a month, which is a great way to make sure that you’re not leaking oil, and that you’ve still got enough oil inside your vehicle for your trips out to Adairsville and back. That being said, if you notice that your car’s hood is hot to the touch, or that there is steam billowing out, these are signs that oil is leaking, and your engine is overheating, so you should schedule service immediately with our service center. 

How to Reset Oil Change Light

While each vehicle has a specific process for resetting the oil change light, the general process is the same across the board. However, you’ll only want to reset the oil change light if you’ve actually changed your oil. If you accidentally miss an oil change, it can damage your car in the long run, just like the old adage suggests — an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

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

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

At this point, the oil light should be reset. If you have any questions regarding how to reset your oil change light, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

Let Riverside Chevrolet of Rome Answer All Your Service Questions

Still want to make sure your vehicle is in the best health? Our service center has plenty of ways to help keep your vehicle on top of its maintenance. You can view our selection of service tips and tricks, such as how to check transmission fluid, for more ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.