How to Check Car Oil

Knowing how to check the oil level in your car is just as important as knowing when to get an oil change for your Kia vehicle. We have the step-by-step guide for Riverside drivers curious about how to check their car oil below! Read more about your car’s oil afterward learn about the differences between synthetic and regular oil.

If your car has a traditional oil dipstick, follow these steps below. If your car uses an electronic oil monitor that doesn’t utilize a dipstick, we recommend checking your specific make and model’s user manual for next steps. Here’s how to check the oil level in your car with a dipstick:

1. Park your vehicle on level ground and make sure that the engine is turned off and cold.
2. Open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe any oil off of the end with a paper towel, rag, etc.
4. Re-insert the dipstick all the way back into its tube, then pull it out again. Take a look at both sides to see where the level is.

Dipsticks always have a way of indicating the proper oil level for your vehicle. Look for something like two marks or a cross-hatched area or equivalent. If the oil is within both of these marks or within the cross-hatched area, your oil level should be good and normal. If not, you’ll need more oil for your vehicle, and it may even be time for an oil change if it’s been long enough.

Checking your oil levels ensures that your car is running properly. Oil degrades over time and doesn’t provide as much cushion to reduce friction and heat in your system. It can get sludgy over time, so it’s generally better to replace your oil at least twice a year depending on your make and model. We can also take care of your oil changes at our dedicated service center.

We do not recommend resetting your oil change light unless it just won’t shut off after getting an oil change. Even if you reset your oil change light and it comes back on, we recommend bringing in your vehicle for a diagnosis of what’s going on. You do not want to reset your oil change light without changing your oil.

• Turn all car systems off, but leave your engine running.
• Find the “reset” button or stick on the dashboard (it’s typically found near the speedometer and fuel gauge).
• Hold the button down until the oil change light begins to flash (the sign of resetting may differ per vehicle).
• Turn the ignition off, wait a few seconds, then turn your car back on.

Now the light should be reset. As we mentioned, we only recommend resetting your oil check light if the light won’t turn off. If the light comes back on or if your vehicle is experiencing other issues, we recommend bringing it to a service center like ours in Riverside.

Now that you have a better understanding of how to check the oil level in a car, you’re more prepared to take care of your Kia vehicle. If your vehicle is due for an oil change, schedule service with us today! And if you have any questions about oil changes and oil change costs, reach out to our team to have all of your questions answered!