how to check the oil in a car

Pop the bonnet, park on level ground, and let a warm engine sit for a minute so the oil calms down—like a barista after the morning rush.

Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it again to see the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.

If it’s below halfway, top up with the correct grade listed in your owner’s manual, a little at a time—overfilling is about as clever as putting sauce on a pav.

Check colour and smell too: fresh oil is amber and not burnt; glitter means metal, and that’s a nope.

Some modern cars skip dipsticks entirely, so check the dash or infotainment for an oil-level display.