Checking Fluid Levels

Preparations

Have the following items on hand.

1. Owner's manual
2. Clean cloth or paper towels
3. Plastic or metal funnel
4. Engine Oil

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​ALT:
​White paper towels, yellow container of engine oil, and a white paper funnel is displayed on a gray mat.  These are some materials needed for an engine oil check.  Missing from the photograph are the owners manual and the engine oil dipstick.

Park vehicle

Park vehicle on a level surface.

Turn off vehicle engine.

Set parking brake.

Refer to manual to verify if you will be conducting a cool or warm test. 

Wait a few minutes all allow your engine to cool.

Secure support rod

Pull the hood release handle located under the lower left corner of the dashboard.  

The hood will pop open slightly.  

Stand and face the front of the vehicle, with your fingers reach in between the hood and the front grille.  

​Lift the latch of the hood.  Holding the grip pull the support rod out of its clip.  Look for markings like an arrow, insert support rod.

Locate engine oil dipstick

Many vehicles will use yellow to identify the engine oil dipstick.  This is a common practice but it is not the rule.  Remove the dipstick by pulling it out.

Min and max

Look for the marking on the tip of the dipstick, MIN/Max will be near the end with the hash markings. 

Engine oil fluid level check

Follow these steps:

1. ​Remove the dipstick (yellow) from block Wipe the dipstick clean.
   
2. Insert dipstick back into block.
   
3. Remove the dipstick again, and check the oil level. If your engine oil level is 4.76mm (3/16”) above or below the fill level/add line, then you do not need to add engine oil.
4. Place the dipstick back into block.
5. If any oil does spills on components, wipe dry.

Close the hood

Gently remove safety rod and return to clip.  Slowly lower the hood of the car and release.  You are finished.

Videos

Checking Automobile Windshield Washer Reservoir Fluid Level.  https://youtu.be/Gn0s7EFedaY
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid Level.  https://youtu.be/jXzTF1JQF-U
Checking Automobile Brake Fluid Level (Aug 26, 2016).  https://youtu.be/rnTjPn3n2Vw
Checking Automobile Power Steering Fluid Level (Aug 24, 2016).  https://youtu.be/z0HC6_PjO8s

This accordion was built in Weebly, the original was hosted on itcdLand.