
First, locate the position of the oil dipstick. The oil dipstick is usually located near the engine, either on top or on the side. After pulling out the dipstick for the first time, wipe it clean with a clean tissue, then reinsert it. Pull out the oil dipstick a second time to check the oil level on the dipstick. If the oil level is between the upper and lower limits, it indicates that the oil level is normal.

Park the car on level ground and turn off the engine for about ten minutes to let the oil flow back into the oil pan. Open the hood and locate the yellow oil dipstick ring. Pull it upwards to remove it. Don't check it directly! First, wipe the dipstick clean with a paper towel, reinsert it all the way, then pull it out again. This time, check where the oil mark is for an accurate reading. The end of the dipstick has a textured area with notches, marked with L for the lower limit and H for the upper limit. The ideal oil level is in the middle of this area. Last time after , I checked it myself and found the oil level just above the middle of the textured area, indicating the mechanic added the right amount. If it's below L, you need to add oil immediately. If it's too much above H, it can harm the engine, and you'll need to remove some. Remember to check it twice a month, and also observe if the oil color has turned black or if there are any metal shavings.

I've been driving this car for three years, and teaching you how to read the oil dipstick is simple. First, make sure the car is on level ground and completely cooled down. Open the engine hood and locate the long metal strip with an orange ring. Pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert it all the way in, then pull it out again. Pay close attention to the oil mark position in the grid area at the end of the metal strip. The upper and lower edges of the grid correspond to the minimum and maximum levels respectively, and the oil level should be within the middle two-thirds range. Remember to check when the engine is cold, as hot engine oil clinging to the walls won't give an accurate reading. Last week when I checked, I noticed the oil mark was close to the lower grid line, so I added half a liter of oil myself. During routine checks, take a moment to smell the oil for any burnt odor and rub some between your fingers to check if the viscosity feels normal. This kind of basic can be done by yourself; there's no need to frequently visit repair shops.

I learned this from the manual when I first bought the car: Locate the yellow dipstick handle on the left side of the engine when the car is cold. Pull it out completely, wipe it clean, then reinsert it all the way like using a thermometer and pull it out again. Check the end of the dipstick—there are two distinct raised marks. The oil level should cover about 70% of the area between these two marks. If it's below the lower mark, you need to add oil; if it's above the upper mark, it needs to be addressed. I've noticed that oil consumption is faster in summer, so checking once a month is a safe practice. Also, the oil film should be continuous and clear. If the oil trace is broken or patchy, it's time to change the oil. Checking it yourself is super convenient and takes just two minutes.

Just taught my wife how to check the oil dipstick the day before yesterday. It's simple with three steps: After parking and turning off the engine for ten minutes, locate the metal rod with a small ring near the engine. Pay attention to pull it out vertically with force, as pulling sideways might get it stuck. The key is to thoroughly wipe off the old oil marks with a rag, then fully insert it and pull it out to check. It's better if the new oil mark clearly covers the upper part of the grid area, but make sure it doesn't exceed the horizontal line at the top of the grid. I find it most convenient to check after washing the car, with the dipstick located near the firewall on the left side of the engine. If there's no oil trace at all in the grid area, it might indicate oil burning. A colleague's car was found to have a seal ring issue this way last time.

As a frequent long-distance driver, checking the oil dipstick is an essential skill. When the engine is cold, locate the metal strip with a yellow handle near the engine and pull it out vertically. Wipe the dipstick clean, reinsert it fully into the oil pan, then slowly remove it to observe. The oil film should cover the serrated area at the end of the dipstick, with the oil level ideally at three-quarters of the serrated height. I find checking half an hour after turning off the engine gives the most accurate reading. Pay special attention to wiping it clean enough, as old oil residue can mislead your judgment. During my last road trip, I noticed the oil level was low and topped it up in time, preventing engine cylinder damage. I recommend checking before each refueling—it becomes second nature with practice.


