How to change and check oil
Use our short and simple video tutorial and learn how to check oil levels in your car and top them up the clean and easy way!
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How to check and refill oil
Regularly checking and topping up engine oil is an important part of car maintenance. Without sufficient engine oil, a car will quickly seize up, overheat and even sustain considerable damage. And effectively increase the depreciation rate of your vehicle .
That’s why we put together this handy video guide to show you how quick and simple it is to check oil levels and how to top up oil in your car!
That’s why we put together this handy video guide to show you how quick and simple it is to check oil levels and how to top up oil in your car!
You can also follow our step-by-step checklist below for a written guide on how to top up engine oil.
What you'll need to check your oil
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Lint-free cloth
You'll need a cloth or rag to wipe off excess oil. Lint-free cloths prevent fluff sticking to your dipstick!
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Plastic funnel
Using a plastic funnel will prevent oil spills on your engine, which could start to smoke and burn if left unwiped.
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Correct oil
There are various types of engine oil available in stores, check your car's handbook to find the one for you.
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A steady hand
This is a simple part of car maintenance, but requires patience and a steady hand, especially when topping up oil!
How to check and top up engine oil: Step-by-step
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Before we check your oil, it's important to make sure your car is parked on a flat surface and has had the engine switched off for at least 10 minutes. This will give the engine time to cool down, and allow the oil to settle.
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First, open and secure your car's bonnet and locate the dipstick. Most cars feature a dipstick with a colourful plastic handle which makes them easy to locate.
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Pull out the dipstick and use your clean cloth to wipe off the film of oil.
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Fully reinsert the dipstick into the pipe, and then remove it once again to check the oil reading. Ideally, the oil levels should be between the 'high' and 'low' marks on the stick.
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If the oil is below the 'low' marker on the dipstick, you'll need to top up oil levels as soon as possible.
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To top up the oil, you'll need to find the oil filler cap, which is also often colourful for easy identification. Remove the cap and insert your plastic funnel if you have one.
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Pour slowly into the opening, this will allow you to stop, allow the and re-check oil levels to prevent overfilling and spillages.
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Be sure to let the fresh oil settle for around 10 minutes before taking a new oil reading. Once oil levels read between the 'high' and 'low' marks, you can replace the oil filler cap and close the bonnet.
Frequently asked questions
It's important to change your engine oil at the intervals recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. But how often should you check your oil level?
A general rule of thumb is checking your oil at least every couple of weeks or every 1000 miles. It's also crucial to check your oil before embarking on a long trip. Fortunately, it only takes a minute to check and top up if necessary, and it may well extend the life of your engine.
With most cars, you should check the oil when the engine is cold, so you don’t risk burning yourself. However, some car manufacturers recommend checking the oil after the engine has warmed up. Therefore, it’s best to check with the manufacturer of your vehicle before checking your oil.
While checking your oil regularly and changing it when needed is important, maintaining good oil pressure is the other side of the equation. It’s slightly less simple to check oil pressure than it is to check your overall oil level, but can be done at home with an oil pressure test kit which you can buy online or in automotive stores.
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