Blog / Checking oil level

Engine Care · 3 min read

How to Check Your Engine Oil Level Properly

Checking oil level takes about two minutes and needs no tools, but getting a genuinely accurate reading depends on doing it in the right conditions, which is where most people go wrong.

Getting the conditions right

The car needs to be on level ground, and the engine needs to have been off for at least five minutes, ideally checked cold before the first start of the day. Checking immediately after driving gives a falsely low reading, since a chunk of the oil is still circulating rather than settled in the sump.

The actual process

1. Locate the dipstick, usually a brightly coloured handle near the engine
2. Pull it out and wipe it clean with a cloth
3. Reinsert it fully, then pull it out again to read the level
4. Check where the oil sits against the min and max markings

What the reading actually means

Oil at or near the max mark is fine, nothing to do. Below the min mark needs topping up before you drive any distance, since running low genuinely risks engine damage. Between the two is normal and doesn't need immediate action, though it's worth knowing roughly how fast your car uses oil between changes, since some engines consume more than others as a matter of normal design rather than a fault.

What to look at beyond the level

While you're there, check the colour and texture. Amber and relatively translucent is healthy. Black, gritty, or with a burnt smell suggests the oil is overdue for changing regardless of what the level shows.