How to Check Your Oil (Correctly)

How to Check Your Oil (Correctly)
Perhaps the most important maintenance you can perform yourself – are you doing it right, or at all?
18 August,2013By / Illustrations By Andrew Snavely

How to Check Your Oil

Adam currently serves as the supervisor of Student Services for Columbia Southern University. His hobbies include adventure racing, anything involving the outdoors, and zombies. He spends his free time enjoying all of these things with his wife and two dogs.

  • http://www.fearlessmen.com/ Todd @ Fearless Men

    Good stuff. Andrew you’re pretty talented at putting these together and making mundane stuff look good!

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Thanks Todd!

  • Chris

    Thanks a lot Andrew! I’m a religious follower of your articles, especially the ‘Getups’. You’ve made my life/style much easier my friend.

    -Chris from TX

  • Herman

    When you check oil immediately after turning off the engine, the level will show LOWER than it actually is, not higher. This is because the oil that has been pumped up to the head takes time to drain back into the oil pan.

    • Kevin

      I would recommend waiting a while after running your car. You don’t want to end up burning yourself with hot oil somewhere between 185F and 212F…

  • Baneli

    Aren’t you supposed to change your oil filter along with any oil change? Or is this just for filling oil?

    • Adam Brewton

      This just for adding oil, maybe you’re just a 1/2 quart low. No need to do a full oil and filter change if it’s only been 2k miles since your last one. Cars today are generally much better about not developing gasket leaks and wasting oil, but it does still happen.

  • SS

    Love the graphics!

  • logoworkgloves

    If you own a car, it is a must that you know the importance of car regular maintenance. This is to prevent oil leaks, battery unrecharge and others for smooth driving.