How to Check Car Oil

Without a proper amount of clean engine oil, your car is at risk of overheating while you’re out and about in Raleigh, among other issues. In other words, the importance of engine oil cannot be overstated, so knowing how to check car oil without the assistance of a professional is essential knowledge to have. Join the service team from Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint below, where we’ll discuss everything you need to know to learn how to check the oil level in your car!

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in a Car

Some modern vehicles utilize electronic oil life monitors rather than the standard dipstick, so your starting point may be to check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure how your car is equipped. If there is a dipstick to be checked manually, follow the steps below:

  1. Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground and that the engine is turned off and cold.
  2. Pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick.
  3. Remove the dipstick and wipe the existing oil off of it with a rag.
  4. Reinsert the dipstick into its holder, then pull it out once more and examine both sides to check the oil level.

Your car’s dipstick will indicate the oil level with either a crosshatched area or two small marks. If the oil level falls between the two marks or within the crosshatched area, this means your oil level is just fine! If the oil level falls below the indicator, you’ll need to top off the oil. Check your owner’s manual to ensure you have the proper grade of oil, then remove the oil filler cap. Using a funnel, add a tiny bit of oil at a time, checking the level in-between pours. When the level is right, replace the cap and you’re good to go.

Why Should I Check My Car’s Oil Level?

The average driver in Cary will only need to have an oil change about twice per year, though your oil change frequency may be higher depending on your driving habits. As for checking the oil level, this should be done once per month. As we noted up above, oil is essential to the safe and proper functioning of your vehicle. Checking it frequently is the best way to ensure nothing needs attention or, if it does, that you can bring your car in for a service appointment before the issue snowballs into something more serious.

Turn to Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint for Service You Can Trust

Still having trouble with how to check the oil level in your car? Contact our team online or call us directly at (984) 666-9878 for one-on-one assistance. If you need to schedule an appointment with our service center located near Chapel Hill, be sure to check our service specials beforehand!

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$799.00 Dealer Administrative Fee included in advertised price. All prices exclude all taxes, tag, title, registration fees and government fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all taxes and government fees and title/registration fees in the state where the vehicle will be registered.

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Additional Disclaimers:

Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details. 

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T85816. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/26. **Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Deferred monthly payments for 90 days. 0% APR for 60 months. Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 6.9%. Must finance with GM Financial. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/3/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T85816. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/26. **Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Deferred monthly payments for 90 days. 0% APR for 60 months. Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 6.9%. Must finance with GM Financial. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/3/26.

*Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T07263. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/2026. **0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 10.7%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. ***Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT92960. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/2026. **0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 17.1%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. ***Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 10.7%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. **Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

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