How to Check Car Oil

Motor oil is one of the most critical components of your vehicle, so ensuring that the oil is in good shape is essential. Learning how to check car oil for volume and quality is important due to how hard your engine oil works. Oil protects the moving parts in your engine from overheating due to friction. Learn how to check the oil level in your car with our service team to ensure your commute from Hartford to West Hartford remains smooth and steady.

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Many newer vehicles have electronic oil monitoring systems that eliminate the need for a traditional dipstick, so start by checking your owner’s manual for recommendations on how to check car oil. If you’re checking the oil with a manual dipstick, follow these steps:

1. Park the vehicle on level ground and turn off the engine. Allow the engine to fully cool.
2. Open the hood of the vehicle to locate the dipstick.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe away all of the oil from the end of it.
4. Put the dipstick all the way back into its tube, then remove it once again to check the volume of the oil level.

Your dipstick will have some way of indicating the correct oil level. If the top of the oil streak is located within the indicated area, then the level is sufficient. If not, then you’ll need to slowly add the proper grade of oil until the correct volume is reached. If you’re unsure which type of oil to use, consult your owner’s manual.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Despite often being overlooked, having healthy oil is paramount for performance. In most cases, oil changes are recommended twice a year, but this can range based on vehicle and driving habits. It’s a good idea to check your oil once a month. This will allow you to catch signs of trouble before they become hazardous. If you notice low oil levels, contaminants, an overly hot engine hood, or smoke billowing from the engine, schedule service with us right away. Overheating and smoke are indicative of an oil leak, so seeking immediate care is important.

How to Reset Oil Change Light

While each vehicle will have unique steps for resetting the oil change light, in general, the process is the same. However, you want to be sure to only reset the oil change light if the oil has actually been properly changed. If you’re taking on DIY car care and need to reset your oil change light, follow the steps outlined below.

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

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

After successfully following the steps above, your engine oil light should be reset. If you’re still unsure of how to reset your engine oil light, consult with our team for guidance.

Turn to Acura of Avon for Your Service Needs

Now that you know how to check the oil level in your car, you can take on car care in your own Manchester garage. If it’s time to schedule an oil change, you can turn the keys over to our team of experts for fast and reliable service for a great price. We offer a wide range of rotating service specials to help our customers save with every visit. If you have any maintenance questions, contact our service team for assistance.