Do You Check Engine Oil with Car On or Off?

The Answer:

You should check your engine oil with the car off.

Why?

When your car is running, the oil is circulating throughout the engine. This means that the oil level will be lower when the car is running than when it is off.

Checking your oil with the car running can give you an inaccurate reading. This is because the oil is not evenly distributed throughout the engine when it is running.

How to Check Your Engine Oil:

1. Park your car on a level surface.
2. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.
3. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick.
4. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the engine.
6. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level.

What to Look For:

The oil level should be between the “min” and “max” marks on the dipstick.

If the oil level is low, you should add oil until it reaches the “max” mark.

If the oil level is high, you should not add any more oil.

Additional Tips:

• Check your oil level regularly, especially before long trips.
• Use the type of oil that is recommended in your car’s owner’s manual.
• Change your oil and filter according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Conclusion:

Checking your engine oil is a simple and important maintenance task. By following the steps above, you can ensure that your engine has the proper amount of oil to operate properly.