How to Check Car Oil

The motor oil in your Honda helps to protect all of the engine’s internal moving parts, and regularly checking to see that the oil level is where it should be is one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll enjoy a smooth and safe drive on the streets of Asheville and beyond. In this guide from the auto experts in the Apple Tree Honda Service Center, you’ll learn how to check your car oil level and find out how often you need to change the oil in your Honda.

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Checking the oil level in your Honda is really just as easy as opening the hood and pulling out the dipstick. You should note that some newer vehicles have electronic oil monitors that don’t use traditional dipsticks, so we recommend that you consult your owner’s manual to find out whether or not your vehicle is equipped with a traditional dipstick. If so, just follow these steps to check your oil level:

• Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground and that the engine is turned off and cold.
• Open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick.
• Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe any oil from the end of it.
• Re-insert the dipstick all the way back into its tube, then pull it out and look at both sides to see where the level is.

There will be markings on the dipstick to indicate where the oil level should be. If the top of the oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the level is good. If it isn’t, you’ll need to add more oil.

Your Honda owner’s manual will list the recommended oil grade, and will indicate whether conventional oil or synthetic oil is required for your vehicle. To add oil, remove the oil filler cap, pour in the oil slowly, and be careful not to spill any. Put the dipstick back in and re-check to ensure that you’ve reached the proper level.

How Often Should I Replace the Engine Oil?

The importance of regular oil changes cannot be overstated. The engine in your Honda Accord, Civic, or CR-V depends on motor oil to reduce friction and to help keep the engine from overheating. In the past it was recommended that you change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with advances in oil and engine technology, most cars can go from 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Check your owner’s manual to find out what the oil change schedule is for your Honda, and if you’re due for an oil change, schedule a service appointment at Apple Tree Honda.

Get Professional Auto Care at Apple Tree Honda

Our service team is ready to help drivers from Hendersonville to Johnson City make sure that their Honda is always running safely and in top condition. Our prices are very competitive, and we also offer a wide range of rotating service specials and coupons to help make your next oil change, tire rotation, or brake service as affordable as possible. If you have any questions about your Honda Civic maintenance schedule, how to reset the oil light, or how to take care of your tires, or if you want advice on basic auto care like how to change a car tire, please feel free to contact our Service Center.