How to Check Your Car's Oil Level

Why checking oil level matters

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts inside the engine — bearings, camshafts, pistons, and valve train components. Without adequate oil at the right pressure, these parts run with insufficient lubrication and wear accelerates rapidly. A low oil level is one of the most common preventable causes of engine damage.

Most engines consume a small amount of oil between services — this is normal. High-mileage engines, turbocharged engines, and engines that do a lot of short-trip driving tend to consume oil faster. Checking the level every two to four weeks catches a drop before it becomes a problem.

Step by step: how to check

Check the oil when the engine is cold — or at least 10 minutes after switching off after a journey. This allows oil to drain back into the sump so the dipstick gives an accurate reading. Open the bonnet and locate the dipstick — it usually has a brightly coloured handle (yellow, orange, or red) and is marked with an oil can symbol.

The process:

• 1. Park on a level surface — a slope will give a false reading
• 2. Pull the dipstick out fully and wipe it clean with a rag or tissue
• 3. Reinsert the dipstick fully until it seats
• 4. Pull it out again and read the level against the MIN and MAX marks
• 5. The oil film on the dipstick should sit between the two marks
• 6. Ideally, maintain the level close to the MAX mark

Reading the dipstick

The dipstick has two marks — MIN and MAX — usually a hatched or crosshatched zone between them. The oil level should be anywhere in that zone. A level at or below MIN means the engine needs oil adding immediately. A level at MAX is ideal. Do not overfill past the MAX mark — excess oil can cause foaming, which reduces lubrication efficiency and can damage seals.

Also look at the colour and condition of the oil on the dipstick. Healthy oil is amber or light brown. Very dark black oil that smells burnt is overdue for a change. Grey or creamy oil — which may look like mayonnaise — indicates water or coolant contamination, which points to a head gasket issue and needs immediate attention.

Adding oil correctly

Use the oil grade specified in your car's handbook — usually printed on the oil filler cap as well. Common grades are 5W-30 and 5W-40, but the correct grade varies by engine. Using the wrong grade does not ruin an engine immediately but sustained use of the wrong viscosity affects lubrication efficiency and can cause oil pressure warnings.

Add oil in small amounts — about half a litre at a time — then recheck the dipstick before adding more. It is easy to overfill when adding oil in one go. If you are not sure which oil your car needs, call us with your registration number and we will confirm the correct grade.

When to get it looked at in Bromsgrove

If you are adding more than half a litre of oil between services, your engine is consuming oil above a normal rate and is worth investigating. If the oil drops quickly and you can see oil on the ground under where the car is parked, there is an external leak that needs diagnosing. Call The Car Guys on 01527 336608 or book online.