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How to Check Your Motor Oil Level

Regularly checking the oil levels in your car is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy and safe car. It's a simple maintenance item that can help you identify any issues early on, such as leaks, which can cause major damage to your engine. We recommend that you check your motor oil level at least once a month and especially before you embark on any long drives. 

Here is how to check your motor oil level:

  1. We recommend checking your oil levels before driving your vehicle, as they will appear lower right after your engine is running. 
  2. Make sure your car is parked on an even and flat surface. 
  3. Find the oil dipstick in your vehicle under the hood. The best way to find this is by refering to your vehicle's owner's manual. 
  4. Pop the hood to do the step above. 
  5. Most dipsticks will have a colored cap, such as yellow or orange, which will help you better locate the dipstick. 
  6. Grab a paper towel or an old rag.
  7. Slowly pull out the dipstick. 
  8. First, examine the viscosity and color of the oil. Engine oil that's in good condition should look slightly yellow-greenish on the rag, and shouldn't be super-dark. Wipe the oil off the end of the dipstick and examine it on the rag. If it's black, dark, or chunky looking - your oil needs to be changed. 
  9. Dry off the dipstick and dip it back into the oil chamber one more time. 
  10. Next, pull the dipstick out again to check the oil level. There should be two small dots on the end of most dipsticks, and one corresponds to the maximum fill line in the oil pan and the other refers to the minimum. The minimum dot should be close to the tip, and the maximum should be about an inch or so up from that on the dipstick. In a properly filled car that's cool, the line should be just about halfway between the two points.

If you find that your oil is low, looks dirty, or has a strange texture, bring your vehicle into Premier Automotive Service today for an oil service. 

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