How to Check Your Oil
It only takes a minute or two to check your oil -- and that minute can save you a lot of aggravation, not to mention thousands of dollars in repairs!
Up next in How to Take Care of Your Car (29 videos)
Take care of your automobile and it won't strand you. Howcast helps you keep your ride running smoothly with this video series on car maintenance.
You Will Need
- A clean rag or a few paper towels
- A can of oil
- A funnel
Steps
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Step 1
Park the car
Park the car on a level surface, like a flat driveway.
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Step 2
Turn off engine
Turn the engine off.
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Step 3
Locate dipstick
Open the hood and locate the dipstick. Its handle is usually yellow and shaped like a crossbar.
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If you can't find the dipstick, check your owner's manual.
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Step 4
Wipe off stick
Pull the dipstick out and, using a rag or paper towel, wipe off the stick.
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Step 5
Locate marks
Locate the two marks: "Add" and "Full."
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Step 6
Slide in dipstick
Slide the dipstick back into its slot, pushing it all the way down, before pulling it out again.
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Step 7
Check oil line
See where the line of oil reaches on the stick. If it falls at or below the "Add" line, then you need to add oil.
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Step 8
Remove fill cap
Remove the oil fill cap--it's usually marked with an icon that looks like Aladdin's magic lamp -- and place the funnel into the opening.
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Step 9
Pour in oil
Pour a quarter of the bottle into the funnel. Add the oil slowly so it doesn't go above the "Full" mark.
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Use only the kind of oil recommended by your manual.
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Step 10
Keep rechecking
Keep rechecking the oil until it's between "Add" and "Full."
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If your oil is consistently on the low side, you may have a leak. Have your car checked by a professional.
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Step 11
Replace cap
Remove the funnel and replace the oil cap.
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Step 12
Replace dipstick
Replace the dipstick, making sure it's all the way in. Close the hood -- and take her for a spin!
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Although you should always check your oil frequently, changing it every 3,000 miles is no longer necessary--Ford says their 2007 models can go as long as 7,500 miles!
