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How to Check Car Oil

Adding oil to engine

Knowing how to check car oil is an essential skill for every Kansas City vehicle owner. Regularly checking your oil helps ensure your engine runs smoothly and can prevent costly repairs down the road. Understanding how to check the oil level in a car is easy and takes only a few minutes. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your engine properly lubricated and protect it from excessive wear. Read on as the service team at Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission explains the best way to check your car’s oil level to keep your vehicle in top condition. 

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Some newer vehicles have electronic oil monitors that don’t use traditional dipsticks, so start by checking your owner’s manual for the automaker’s recommendations. If you’re checking the oil manually, simply follow these steps:

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

Dipsticks always have some way of indicating the proper oil level. If the top of your 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.

Be sure to buy the grade recommended in the owner’s manual, remove the oil filler cap, and then add oil a little at a time until the dipstick indicates you’ve reached the proper level.

By following these steps, you’ll know exactly how to check the oil level in a car and can quickly determine if you need an oil top-up or change.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Although oil is often overlooked, the right oil level is essential to your vehicle’s performance. Generally, oil changes are recommended at least twice yearly, depending on the model and how it’s driven. Oil checks should be performed at least once a month. This way, you can always feel confident that there are no leaks, and that your car has enough oil for all your journeys through Shawnee Mission. That being said, if you notice your car’s hood is hot to the touch or steam billowing out from under the hood, schedule a service appointment without delay. Your car could have an oil leak and the engine is overheating. 

How to Reset Oil Change Light

While each vehicle has a specific process for resetting the oil change light, the general process is the same. However, you’ll only want to reset the oil change light if you’ve actually changed your oil. If you accidentally miss an oil change, it can damage your car in the long run.

How to Reset Oil Change Light: Step-by-Step:

  • 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 oil change light begins to flash (signs of resetting may differ per vehicle).
  • Turn the ignition off, wait a few seconds, then turn your car back on.

At this point, the oil light should be reset. If you have any questions regarding how to reset your oil change light, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

Get Your Oil Changed at Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission

By learning how to check the oil level in a car, you’re taking a simple but important step in maintaining your vehicle’s health and longevity. If you’ve checked your oil and it’s time for a change, visit Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission for a professional service center experience you can trust. Our skilled technicians are here to keep your vehicle running smoothly wherever you travel in Overland Park. We even offer service specials to help you save on maintenance and repairs. Whether you need a quick oil top-up or a complete oil change, our team is here to assist. Knowing how to check car oil is just the first step—let our team handle the rest to keep your vehicle in top shape. Visit us today!

Hendrick Vehicle Disclaimer:

$699.00 Dealer Administrative Charge 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. All prices include all manufacturer to dealer incentives, which the dealer retains unless otherwise specifically provided. Dealer not responsible for errors and omissions; all offers subject to change without notice; please confirm listings with dealer.

 

All vehicles may not be physically located at this dealership but may be available for delivery through this location. Transportation charges may apply. Please contact the dealership for more specific information. All vehicles are subject to prior sale.

 

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*Savings include all dealer discounts, conditional OEM incentives, and non conditional OEM stackable incentives. Savings vary by model and stock number. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/31/2026. **For Current GM Employees and Eligible Family Members: Each dealer sets own price. $149/month for 24 months. Your payments may vary. For eligible new and unused models leased through GM Financial. All current GM-S rules apply. Payments are for a 2026 CHEVROLET Trailblazer FWD LT based on MSRP of $26,730. Based on due at signing amount of $3,059 (after all offers). 24 monthly payments total $3,984. Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. Lessor must approve lease. Take new retail delivery by 8/31/2026. Lessee pays for maintenance, repair, excess wear and disposition fee of $395 or less at end of lease. No security deposit required. Payments may be higher in some states. Not available with other offers.

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*Savings include all dealer discounts, conditional OEM incentives, and non conditional OEM stackable incentives. Savings vary by model and stock number. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/31/2026.

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