Oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine. Staying on top of your oil status may be a car owner’s most important maintenance task. It’s a check that remains relatively simple despite other areas of the car getting super complicated and digital. And believe it or not, changing the oil is a task that — if you’re so inclined — you can actually do yourself.
Here’s a basic rundown of how to check and change the oil in a car.
How to check your oil
Locate the dipstick
Finding the dipstick should be straightforward. It’s usually locating near the side of the engine. It has a brightly colored handle. It should slide out easily when pulled. Once it’s out, wipe it and (as the name suggests) dip it back in again to check the oil.
Check the oil condition
The first thing to check is the oil condition. It should be a smooth, relatively transparent amber color. If it’s dark and or gritty, change your oil.
Check the oil level
The dipstick should have marks indicating low and full levels. It should come out at or near the full mark. If it’s below the low mark, add oil. If it’s between the two marks, you may want to top the oil off just to be safe.
How often you should change your oil
Oil technology has improved since the days of yore when every 3,000 miles was the norm. Premium synthetic oils can last much longer. Some manufacturers now recommend oil change intervals of 7,500 or even 10,000 miles for new cars.
As a rule of thumb, think every 5,000 to 7,500 or every six to 12 months. If you haven’t hit the mileage, adhere to the time frame. Oil change providers (dealers or independent) often recommend a shorter interval between oil changes for financial reasons. Trust the manufacturer’s estimate in your owner’s manual.
