Learning how to check the oil level in your car can potentially save you from major headaches and major expenses. Whether you drive an older model with a dipstick or a newer model with an electronic oil monitor, you can find out how to check your car’s oil in just a few simple steps.
We’ve laid out both paths below, but if you need any extra assistance, you can always reference your owner’s manual or give us a call at (866) 217-4787. We’re easy to reach from anywhere near Stamford.
How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car with an Electronic Oil Monitor
Many new Jaguar vehicles include an electronic oil monitor that can assess your oil levels automatically. Here’s how to check your car’s oil level without getting your hands dirty:
- Park on level ground and turn off the vehicle. Wait twenty to thirty minutes for all of the oil to settle back into the reservoir.
- Turn your key one notch (or press the start button without holding down the brake) and enter “Accessory Mode”. Your electronics should come on, but your engine should remain off.
- Use your steering wheel-mounted controls to navigate through the menus on your dashboard.
- Once you see the option labeled “Oil Level”, press “OK”!
- The system will tell you your oil level and let you know if it’s time to add more. Just give it a few moments to tell you what’s needed.
If the system determines that you require more motor oil, make sure to pick up an approved synthetic oil from our Jaguar parts department. Use a funnel to add oil carefully to the reservoir. Add no more than the recommended amount, and work slowly to avoid overfilling the reservoir. If your vehicle also has a dipstick, you can check the level as you go!
How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car with a Dipstick
Checking a car’s oil level with a dipstick is just one of those things that every driver should know how to do! We’ve got you covered:
- Park on level ground and turn off the vehicle. Wait twenty to thirty minutes for the oil to settle back into the reservoir.
- Open the hood and locate the dipstick, usually just to the left of the engine block.
- Pull the dipstick out and use a lint-free rag to wipe it clean. You can also take this opportunity to get hands-on with your motor oil. Check the consistency and color. If it’s especially dark or smells burnt, it may be time to change your oil completely.
- With the dipstick clean, insert it back into the sheathe. Then, draw it out once more and read the level.
- Usually, the oil will fall near a “full” line, or within a cross-hatched area between the minimum and maximum levels. If it’s too low, you’ll need to add more–but be careful not to overfill.
Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?
We’ll check your car’s oil level as part of your regular maintenance visit, but it’s still a good idea to learn how to check a car’s oil on your own–roughly once per month. That’s because an oil leak can cause significant or even irreversible damage to your engine if it’s left unattended for too long.
You might already know that failing to change your oil on schedule can result in a dangerous build-up of deposits and grime. An absence of oil leads to similar issues since your engine uses clean oil to lubricate moving parts and distribute heat away from vulnerable components.
Schedule Your Next Oil Service at Jaguar Darien Authorized Certified Pre-Owned and Service
Whether you want an expert to check your car’s oil level or you think you’re ready for your next oil change, it’s easy to schedule service at Jaguar Darien Authorized Certified Pre-Owned and Service. Our parts and service specials can help you save on everything from clean, fresh motor oil to expensive, major repairs–and that’s just one reason that we’re preferred by drivers from Fairfield to Westport. Find out what sets us apart for yourself!
