How to check your oil level
Park on level ground, switch off and wait a few minutes. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it, push it fully back in and pull it out again. The oil should sit between the two marks. If it is near or below the lower mark, top up with the right oil, a little at a time.
It takes about five minutes, and it is the simplest way to look after your engine between services.
What you need
- A clean cloth or paper towel
- Your car's handbook
- The right oil for your car, if you need to top up (Find My Oil shows which one)
- Gloves, if you'd like to keep your hands clean
How to check your oil, step by step
- Park on level ground. On a slope the oil sits to one side and the reading is wrong.
- Switch off and wait. After a drive, give the oil 5 to 10 minutes to drain back down. Checking before you start the car works too. Parts of the engine stay hot for a while, and on some cars the cooling fan can start on its own, so keep hands and loose clothing clear.
- Find the dipstick. It usually has a brightly coloured handle, often yellow or orange. Your handbook shows where it is.
- Pull it out and wipe it clean.
- Push it fully back in, then pull it out again.
- Read the level. The oil should sit between the two marks. These may be MIN and MAX, two dots or notches, or the ends of a hatched area. If it is near or below the lower mark, top up.
How to top up
- Find the filler cap on top of the engine. It is marked with an oil can symbol.
- Add a little at a time, about 200 ml, then wait a minute or two for it to settle.
- Check the dipstick again, and repeat until the level is near the upper mark. Stop there.
- Put the cap back on firmly and wipe up any spills.
On many cars the gap between the two marks is about a litre. Your handbook gives the exact figure, and your Find My Oil result shows how much oil your engine takes in total.
Which oil to top up with
Use oil with the grade and specification your manufacturer sets, such as 5W-30 and ACEA C3. Both are in your handbook, or enter your reg in Find My Oil to see the Duckhams oil that meets them. A top-up with a different brand of the same grade and specification is fine.
How often to check
About once a month, and before a long journey. Check more often if your car is older or you know it uses oil.
What the colour tells you
- Amber or golden: fresh oil.
- Brown or black: normal once the oil has done some miles. Colour alone doesn't mean it needs changing, so follow your service interval.
- Milky or creamy on the dipstick: coolant may be getting into the oil. Have a garage check it before you drive far. A little creamy residue under the filler cap after lots of short trips in cold weather is usually just condensation.
- Gritty, or smelling of fuel: have a garage look at it.
If you've added too much
Too much oil can harm the engine, so don't fill above the upper mark. If the level is clearly over it, have a garage drain the excess before you drive far.
Cars with no dipstick
Many newer cars, including some BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche models, measure the oil level electronically and show it on the dashboard or the car's screen. Some need the engine warm and the car on level ground first. Your handbook explains how.
Oil warning lights
- Red oil can: low oil pressure. Stop as soon as it is safe, switch off the engine and check the level. If the light stays on after topping up, don't drive on. Call for help.
- Amber or yellow oil symbol (on some cars): the level is low. Top up soon.
A warning light is not a substitute for checking. The red light only comes on once something is wrong.
Using a little oil is normal
Most engines use a small amount of oil between services. If you find yourself topping up often, or see oil spots where you park, have a garage take a look.
Getting rid of old oil
Never pour oil down a drain. Take it in a sealed container to your local household waste recycling centre, where most sites accept engine oil.
Questions
Should I check my oil hot or cold?
Either, as long as you wait. After a drive, give it 5 to 10 minutes on level ground, or check before you start the car. Some cars with electronic gauges need the engine warm, and your handbook will say if yours does.
How long does it take?
About five minutes.
Can I drive with low oil?
Only as far as you need to top up. If the red oil light comes on, stop as soon as it is safe and switch off.
How much oil does my car need?
It depends on the engine. Enter your reg in Find My Oil to see how much yours takes and the right Duckhams oil for it.