How to Check Car Oil

Your car’s motor oil is the lifeblood of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and having the right amount keeps the engine’s internal moving parts protected while on the Beckley streets. Learn how to check the oil level in a car from the service experts at Mercedes-Benz of Charleston.

How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car: Step-by-Step Guide

There are newer vehicles with electronic oil monitors that don’t use the traditional dipsticks, so it’s best to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Follow these steps to check the oil manually:

1. Make sure the car is parked on level ground with the engine turned off and cold.
2. Pop the hood and find the dipstick.
3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe any engine oil from the end of it.
4. Re-insert the dipstick back into its tube, then pull it out and check both sides to see where the level is.

Most dipsticks will have a way of indicating the proper oil level. If you see that the oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the oil level is good. If not, more oil is needed.

It’s important to purchase the grade recommended in the owner’s manual, remove the oil filler cap, then add car oil a little at a time until the dipstick reaches the proper level.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

The engine oil is overlooked, but it’s an essential part of your vehicle’s performance. It’s best to have an oil replacement performed at least twice a year, depending on your vehicle and how it’s driven. It’s recommended to check the oil at least once a month, so you’re confident that there are no leaks and there’s enough oil for your drives around Huntington. With that said, if you see that the vehicle’s hood is too hot to the touch or there’s a stream billowing out from under the hood, schedule a service appointment as soon as possible. Your vehicle could have an oil leak, and the engine is overheating.

How to Reset Oil Change Light

No matter which type of Mercedes-Benz vehicle you drive, the general process of resetting the oil replacement light is the same. The light should only be reset if you just had your oil replacement done. Missing an oil change can damage your vehicle in the long run.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting the Oil Replacement Light:

• Turn all systems of your car off, but leave the engine running.
• Find the “reset” button or stick on the dashboard (typically found near the speedometer and fuel gauge).
• Hold the button down until the light begins to flash (a sign of resetting may differ per vehicle).
• Turn the ignition off, wait a few seconds, then turn your car back on.

The engine oil light should be reset, but don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Learn How to Check the Car Oil in Charleston!

After learning how to check the oil level in a car, contact our service center and have one of our factory-trained and certified technicians check your car’s oil. You can schedule your service appointment right at home. We also offer a rotating selection of service specials to use on your next visit! Have questions about how to bleed brakes, when to get oil changes, what does TPMS mean, or how often to rotate tires? Give us a call!